 |
|
edibleplants.org |
 |
Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license. |
Translate this page:
Summary
Boxthorns have adapted to hot, dry conditions and drought tolerance and are often found in dry, desert-like environments. African Boxthorn (L. ferocissimum) berries, leaves, stems and roots are toxic to humans. They are highly resilient to heat and drought and are used as hedges or ornamental plants. It is invasive in some regions. The genus name Lycium derives from the Greek name lykion, meaning thorny shrub. The species name ferocissimum comes from the Latin ferox, meaning wild, bold, or fierce, and refers to the large spines that protect the bush [1-8].
Physical Characteristics

Lycium ferocissimum is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Birds, Insects, Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
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 and can grow in very acid and saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
L. campanulatum E.Mey. ex C.H.Wright. L. macrocalyx Domin. L. macrocalyx Dammer.
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Fruit berries are NOT edible and are approximately 10 mm in diameter with a persistent calyx. They are initially green but ripen to bright orange or red. Berries are mostly globular but sometimes can be slightly ovoid.
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.
None Known
References More on Medicinal Uses
The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books
Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.
Edible Tropical Plants
Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
Edible Temperate Plants
Plants for Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
More
More Books
PFAF have eight books available in paperback and digital formats. Browse the shop for more information.
Shop Now
Other Uses
Hedges and windbreaks. Saline tolerant. Lycium ferocissimum produces a dense thicket armed with spines, forming an impenetrable barrier to grazing animals. In its native range, L. ferocissimum has a positive effect on biodiversity, as the thorns protect germinating seedlings of several valued palatable shrubs from over-grazing in the Karoo of South Africa. L. ferocissimum is an important keystone restoration species, as its large fruit crops are attractive to birds, which might disperse other native plant species [1-8]. Lycium ferocissimum benefits several faunal species in its introduced range. It provides shelter for several species of endangered parrots and penguins and is a food source for various endemic marsupials, including several species of endangered bandicoots. L. ferocissimum also provides a valuable habitat and food source for native greater stick-nest rats (Leporillus conditor) in islands off the coast of South Australia [1-8]. There are no reports for wood use of L. ferocissimum, though it is likely that it would have been used as an incidental fuel, especially in dry coastal regions where it may be the only woody plant [1-8]. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Lycium species produce flowers rich in nectar and attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): The fruit (Goji berries) is consumed by birds and small mammals. The plant’s dense, thorny structure provides shelter and nesting sites for birds and small wildlife. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): The thorny branches can offer overwintering refuge for insects and invertebrates, and the leaf litter adds to Groundcover, supporting beneficial organisms. Pest Confuser (Smell): Lycium species are not typically known for emitting strong scents that would confuse or repel pests.
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Soil Tolerances: Light (sands, sandy loams), Medium (loams, sandy clay loams). Acid (pH 4.0-6.0). Neutral (pH 6.1-7.4). Free Soil drainage. Special soil tolerances: Infertile, Saline. Soil Types: Alkaline Soils, Alluvial Soils, Arenosols, Arid Soils, Cambisols, Clay Soils, Luvisols, Podzols, Regosols, Saline Soils, Sandy Soils, Volcanic Soils [1-8]. A woody, erect, perennial shrub with a deep and extensive root system (Roy et al., 1998). It can grow up to 5 m tall and 5 m wide but typically grows only 2-3 m tall and 3 m wide. It is particularly common on roadsides, railway embankments, watercourses, wastelands, and similar neglected areas. Large thickets reduce the productive value of grazing land and can harbour agricultural pests such as rabbits. The native range of this species is S. Africa. It is a shrub and grows primarily in the subtropical biome. It has been introduced into Algeria, California, Cyprus, Morocco, New South Wales, New Zealand North, Norfolk Is., Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Spain, Tasmania, Tunisia, Victoria, and Western Australia [2-5]. Soil Texture: Thrives in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils. Adaptable to poor, rocky, or degraded soils. Soil Moisture: Prefers dry to moderately moist soils. It is drought-tolerant once established and does not tolerate prolonged waterlogging. Drainage: Requires well-drained soil but can survive in various soil types without prolonged waterlogging. Soil pH: Tolerates a wide range of soil pH levels, from acidic to alkaline. Saline Tolerance: Highly tolerant of saline conditions, making it suitable for coastal areas and salt-affected soils. Tolerance of Poor Soil: It thrives in poor, nutrient-deficient soils and is often found in disturbed or marginal habitats. Light Requirements: Requires full sun for optimal growth. It tolerates light shade but may grow less vigorously. Height: Typically grows to about 2–5 meters (6–16 feet) tall, forming a dense, spiny shrub. Pollination: Pollinated by bees, birds, and other insects that visit its small, tubular white to purple flowers. Temperature: Hardy to drought and frost, thriving in USDA zones 8–11. It is well-adapted to arid and semi-arid climates. Wildlife: Provides excellent habitat and protection for birds and small mammals due to its dense, thorny branches. Invasiveness: Known to be an invasive species in some areas, such as Australia, where it can form dense thickets that displace native vegetation. Pests and Diseases: Generally pest-resistant. However, it may act as a host for some pests like fruit flies, which can affect nearby crops. Pruning: Regular pruning is necessary to control its spread and manage its thorny growth. Caution: In areas where it is invasive, management may be required to prevent its spread. It can outcompete native vegetation and form dense thickets that are difficult to remove.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).
Shop Now
Plant Propagation
Propagates easily from seeds dispersed by birds and animals that eat the fruit. Can also grow from cuttings.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
African boxthorn or boxthorn. Cape boxthorn. South Africa: bocksdorn, Slangbessie (snake-berry) [1-8].
Native Range
Native to: Cape Provinces, Free State, Lesotho.
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.
A major weed in Australia and New Zealand. Lycium ferocissimum produces a dense thicket with large spines. It was introduced to Australia and New Zealand in the 1800s as a hedge plant and has subsequently developed into a damaging invasive weed in these countries. Management of L. ferocissimum is challenging, as the taproot can produce new growth when broken [1-8]. Lycium ferocissimum can invade poorly managed and degraded pasture but is not known as a weed of agricultural or plantation crops [1-8]. The leaves are reputed to be poisonous to poultry, and poisoning of pigs by L. ferocissimum berries has been reported [1-8].
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Available
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 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.
Expert comment
Author
Miers
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
Add a comment |
If you have important information about this plant that may help other users please add a comment or link below. Only comments or links that are felt to be directly relevant to a plant will be included. If you think a comment/link or information contained on this page is inaccurate or misleading we would welcome your feedback at [email protected]. If you have questions about a plant please use the Forum on this website as we do not have the resources to answer questions ourselves.
* Please note: the comments by website users are not necessarily those held by PFAF and may give misleading or inaccurate information.
To leave a comment please Register or login here All comments need to be approved so will not appear immediately.
Subject : Lycium ferocissimum
|
|
|
|