African tea-tree, Kraal honey-thorn
Lycium afrum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A shrub or small tree. It can be 4-5 m tall. The bark is pale creamy-brown. The small branches are armed with rigid spines. These are 1-4.5 cm long. The leaves are alternate and very slender. They are 1-2.5 cm long by 0.1-0.3 cm wide. They are thinly leathery. They are dark or bright green. They taper to the base. The flowers are purple or mauve. These are tinged with green or brown. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. They can be single or hanging on slender stalks. The fruit are round and fleshy. They are 1.2 cm across. They are red but become purple-black when mature.
There are about 100 Lycium species.
Where it is found
It occurs in dry coastal scrub. It suits hardiness zones 9-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Europe, Greece, Mediterranean, South Africa, Southern Africa
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Seed germinate easily. It is a good hedge plant.
Plants are fast growing.