European tea-tree, Box thorn,
Lycium europaeum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

Lycium europaeum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft 1in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from June to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Height (m): 4

Where it is found

In Israel it grows in Mediterranean maquis, batha communities, and loessial wadis in the steppes areas.

S.W. Europe to the Mediterranean.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, East Africa, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Greece, India, Italy, Kenya, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Yugoslavia,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit is a berry about 8mm in diameter. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten. Young shoots - cooked.

Medicine

Rating: 2

The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers.

Cancer: Used in the treatment of cancer.

Other

Rating: 3

Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize banks.

Soil stabilization: Plants that can be grown in places such as sand dunes in order to prevent erosion by wind, water or other agents.

How it is grown

An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality. Succeeds in impoverished soils. Requires a sunny position. Tolerates maritime exposure. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and succeeds outdoors in the milder areas of the country. There is much confusion between this species and the closely related L. barbarum and L. chinense. Most, if not all, of the plants being grown as L. europaeum in Britain are in fact L.barbarum. Many botanists unite the three species under the name L. barbarum, though they are distinct.

Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually good and fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Pinch out the shoot tips of the young plants in order to encourage bushy growth. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late winter in a cold frame. High percentage. Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Layering.

Best place to grow: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Some caution should be exercised with this species, particularly with regard to its edible leaves, since it belongs to a family that often contains toxins. However, use of the leaves is well documented and fairly widespread in some areas.

Its other names

Local names

Ad-gorad, Aushaz, Ekabekebeke, Engokia, Fub, Fursaa, Fursh, Kihomolwa, Kokonida, Lgherdeq, Lokei, Ol-okii, Pkata,

Synonyms

L. intricatum. Boiss.