European tea-tree, Box thorn
Lycium europaeum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A thorny shrub. It grows 1-4 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The branches are rigid and very spiny. The spines are stout. The leaves are narrowly oval and broadest above the middle. They are 20-50 mm long. The flowers are pink or white. They are narrow and funnel-shaped. They are 11-13 mm long and occur singly or in groups or 2-3. The fruit is a reddish berry.
There are about 100 Lycium species.
Where it is found
It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in hedges and along roadside. It grows between 1-2,100 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Balkans, East Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Europe, France, Greece, India, Italy, Kenya, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Sicily, Somalia, Spain, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Yugoslavia
How it is used for food
The berries are eaten. The young shoots are eaten as a vegetable. They are boiled and seasoned with oil, lemon and pepper. They are also used in stews.
Edible parts
Berries, fruit, shoots, leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.
Leaves are collected during the rainy season.
Its other names
Local names
Ad-gorad, Arto, Aushaz, Cambron, Ekabekebeke, Engokia, Fub, Fursaa, Fursh, Kihomolwa, Kokonida, Lgherdeq, Lokei, Ol-okii, Pkata, Spinasanta