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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Lycium carolinianum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.5 m (5ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year. 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

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Fruit - raw or cooked. Rather pleasant eating, the fruit has a slightly salty taste[183]. The fruit is a berry up to 12mm in diameter[200]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K].

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

An easily grown plant, succeeding in most soils[11]. It 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]. This species is not very hardy outside the milder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plant 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

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Florida, Georgia, Texas)

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 itâ€™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 arabicum		Shrub	0.0	-		LMH	N	M	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 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.

Expert comment

Author

Walter.

Botanical References

200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment


Adam	Tue Jun 16 2009

I'm excited to find this salt tolerant warm climate relative of the highly revered goji berry growing in North Florida.

Lycium carolinianum - Walter.