Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Torrey's wolfberry is another excellent representative of the edible desert wolfberries. Its dependable production of sweet, fleshy berries, outstanding drought tolerance, and long history as a traditional Indigenous food make it one of the Southwest's most valuable fruit-producing shrubs. When harvested ripe and eaten in moderation, it provides an excellent seasonal food resource in arid landscapes [2-3]. The berries are edible fresh or cooked. As with all wolfberries discussed in your source, large quantities may cause digestive upset, so eat them in moderation. You can eat ripe berries fresh, cook them into sauces, or dry them for storage. Other parts of the shrub are not regarded as edible [2-3]. Edibility Rating: 5 out of 5 – An excellent native fruit shrub that produces dependable crops of nutritious berries [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Although Lycium torreyi was not evaluated separately, it is included among the edible soft-fruited wolfberries we researched and is expected to share the same characteristics. Ripe berries range from orange to red and are soft, juicy, and pleasantly sweet, with a flavor resembling ripe tomatoes combined with a slight citrus-rind bitterness. The numerous seeds are soft and easy to eat with the pulp. Fresh berries are excellent eaten straight from the shrub or mixed with wild onions to make fresh salsa. Cooking produces a thick, sweet, tomato-like sauce that works well in soups, stews, and other savory dishes. Because fresh berries spoil quickly unless refrigerated, eat them soon after harvesting or dry them. Dried berries resemble raisins and become noticeably sweeter than the fresh fruit [2-3]. Seasonality: Torrey's wolfberry flowers in late winter and early spring, with berries ripening during spring and early summer. Fruit production is generally dependable even during relatively dry years, and additional crops may develop following summer rainfall [2-3]. Traditional Uses: Wolfberries were among the most important native fruits available to Indigenous peoples throughout the deserts of the Southwest. People gathered the berries fresh, cooked them, and dried them for later use, providing a dependable seasonal food source where few other fresh fruits were available [2-3]. Fruit - raw or cooked[257]. It is much sought after in the wild[177]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K].

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Cancer  Odontalgic

A poultice of the heated root has been applied to the jaw to bring relief from toothache[257]. The plant has been used as a treatment for chickenpox[257]. The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[214].

Soil stabilization

Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize banks[200]. Torrey's wolfberry suits xeriscapes and native gardens. It performs best in full sun with excellent drainage and requires very little maintenance once established. Its attractive flowers, colorful berries, and value to wildlife make it a useful landscape species in dry regions. The flowers attract native bees and other pollinating insects, while the berries provide an important food source for birds and small mammals. The thorny branches also offer valuable nesting sites and protective cover for wildlife.

Special Uses