Box Thorns is a genus of deciduous or evergreen, flowering shrubs in the nightshade family that includes about 100 species. They mostly occur in arid and semi-arid climates, and a few are known from coastal zones in saline and dune habitats. Most have a loose habit, thorny stems and small flowers with ornamental berries that are red to purple or yellow. The lycium species will tolerate a variety of soils, although they flower and fruit better in a well-drained one of moderate quality. They are best propagated by seeds, but cuttings and layers may also be used. Two of the better-known species are Goji Berries and Wolfberries, which are used as health foods or in medicine. Goji berries like to creep along the ground and are easier to harvest if staked. A few species have become invasive in Australia and New Zealand forming thorny thickets that harm cattle and crowd out native plants. Lycium ferocissimum is a federally listed noxious weed in the United States. Lycium barbarum (goji berry) is native to China but has become a weed across much of Europe, North America and Australia.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Ingestion of the leaves causes headaches, abdominal pain, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory and respiratory depression, and loss of sensation only if eaten in large quantities.