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Summary
Physical Characteristics
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Lycium arabicum is a deciduous Shrub. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[61, 177]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K]. Young shoots - cooked[177].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Cancer
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].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Soil stabilization
Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize banks[200].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality[11]. Succeeds in impoverished soils[200]. Requires a sunny position[200]. Tolerates maritime exposure[200].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually good and fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Pinch out the shoot tips of the young plants in order to encourage bushy growth[78]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late winter in a cold frame. High percentage[78, 200]. Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Layering.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Berberis lycium | | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| Lycium afrum | | Shrub | 2.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| Lycium andersonii | Wolfberry, Water jacket | Shrub | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Lycium australe | | Shrub | 1.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Lycium barbarum | Goji, Box Thorn, Matrimony vine | Shrub | 2.5 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Lycium berlandieri | Berlandier's wolfberry | Shrub | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Lycium carolinianum | Christmas Berry, Carolina desert-thorn | Shrub | 1.5 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Lycium chinense | Chinese Boxthorn, Chinese desert-thorn | Shrub | 2.5 |
5-9
| M | LMH | N | M | 4 | 3 | 3 |
| Lycium europaeum | European tea-tree, Box thorn, | Shrub | 4.0 |
8-11
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Lycium fremontii | Desert Thorn, Fremont's desert-thorn | Shrub | 3.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Lycium pallidum | Pale Wolfberry, Pale desert-thorn, Rabbit thorn | Shrub | 1.8 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Lycium ruthenicum | | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Lycium schweinfurthii | | Shrub | 2.0 |
-
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Lycium torreyi | Squawthorn, Torrey wolfberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 2 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Author
Schwein.
Botanical References
Links / References
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