Pale Wolfberry, Pale desert-thorn, Rabbit thorn
Lycium pallidum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
Lycium pallidum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May 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 dry or moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Height (m): 1.8
Where it is found
Dry plains and hills.
Central and Southern N. America.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Mexico, North America, USA,
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use. The fruit keeps well when dried and ground into a meal. The fruit should be perfectly ripe if it is eaten raw. The Hopi Indians boiled the fruit, drained off the water and ground the fruit into a mush. Clay was then mixed with water until a thick consistency was achieved, this was mixed with the berries and the whole lot eaten. The fruit is about 10mm in diameter.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The ground up root has been placed in a tooth cavity to bring relief from toothache. The bark and the dried berries have been used as a 'life medicine'. 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.
Odontalgic: Treats toothache (temporary measure only) and other problems of the teeth and gums.
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
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. Hardy to about -17°c. Plants do not always fruit well in Britain, particularly after a cool summer.
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;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 5-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Although no records of toxicity have been seen for this species, it does belong to a family that contains many poisonous plants. Some caution should be applied, especially towards leaves or unripe fruits, though ripe fruits are almost certainly edible.
Its other names
Local names
Tomatillo, Rabbit thorn,