Native boxthorn, Australian Boxthorn
Lycium australe
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A medium sized shrub. It grows 0.5-2.5 m high and 1-3 m wide. There are many branches and they are entangled and spiny. The leaves are 0.3-2.5 cm long by 0.15-0.5 cm wide. The leaves are oval and succulent. The leaves occur in clusters of 5-8. They are grey-green. The flowers are 0.8-1.2 cm long. They are creamy white with darker markings on the throat and brown-purple on the exterior. The fruit is a berry 0.4-0.8 cm long by 0.5 cm wide. They are orange-red.
There are about 100 Lycium species.
Where it is found
It grows on clay soils and these are often salty in semi-arid regions. It suits low rainfall, warm temperate regions. It can tolerate moderate frosts.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
The ripe berries are eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed. They germinate in 21-30 days.