Pale wolfberry, Pale desert-thorn
Lycium pallidum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A deciduous shrub. It grows 1.8 m high. It has many spreading thorns. The branches are often long and twisted. The leaves are oblong and thick and fleshy. The flowers are tube shaped and are yellow-green with a purple tinge. They flowers occur either single or in pairs. The corolla tube is 3 times as long as the petals around it. The fruit are bright red berries.
There are about 100 Lycium species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It can tolerate sea spray once established. It suits hardiness zones 6-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Britain, Europe, Mexico, North America, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten fresh or raw. They can be cooked or dried for future use.
Edible parts
Fruit
How it is grown
It is difficult to grow plants from cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Baya lobo, Tomatillo, Rabbit thorn