Torrey desert Thorn, Squawthorn
Lycium torreyi

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 3 m tall. It can be spiny. It can form thickets. The leaves are sword shaped and 5 cm long. The flowers are funnel shaped and pale blue to white. They are 1.5 cm long. They are in groups in the axils of the leaves. The fruit is a juicy orange to red berry 1 cm across.

There are about 100 Lycium species.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It grows in the desert and can be in salty soil.

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico, North America, USA

How it is used for food

The fruit are dried and boiled with clay or sugar. The fruit can be eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Lycium torreyi var. filiforme M. E. Jones;