Anderson's wolfberry is one of the outstanding wild fruit shrubs of the American Southwest. It combines excellent drought tolerance, dependable fruit production, pleasant flavor, and a long history of traditional use. Although the berries should be eaten in moderation, they remain among the best native fruits available to desert foragers and are an excellent example of how productive arid landscapes can be [2-3]. The berries are edible fresh or cooked. Although generally regarded as safe, eating large quantities may cause digestive upset, so moderation is recommended. You can eat the soft berries straight from the shrub, cook them into sauces, or dry them for later use. Other parts of the plant are not regarded as food. Edibility Rating: 5 out of 5 – One of the finest and most dependable native fruit-producing shrubs of the southwestern deserts [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Fresh Anderson's wolfberries are sweet, juicy, and pleasantly fruity, with a flavor reminiscent of ripe tomatoes combined with a subtle citrus-rind bitterness that adds complexity without becoming unpleasant. The berries contain numerous small, soft seeds that you can eat along with the flesh. They make an excellent ingredient for fresh salsa, particularly when combined with wild onions and other native herbs. Cooking produces a thick, naturally sweet sauce with a rich tomato-like character, making the berries suitable wherever tomato sauce is traditionally used. The berries do not keep well after harvesting and should either be eaten promptly, refrigerated briefly, or dried. Once dried, they resemble raisins and become noticeably sweeter [2-3]. Seasonality: Anderson's wolfberry typically flowers in late winter and early spring, with fruits ripening during spring and early summer. In favorable years, or following summer rainfall, a second crop of berries may develop. The shrubs are remarkably productive even during dry years [2-3]. Traditional Uses: Wolfberries were an important traditional food for many Native American peoples, particularly those living in the Sonoran Desert, where fresh fruit was often scarce. People ate the berries fresh, cooked, or dried for later use, and they were one of the desert's most reliable naturally occurring fruit crops [2-3]. Safety: Ripe berries are edible, but large quantities may cause stomach upset, so eat them in moderation. The thorny branches require care during harvesting. As with all members of the nightshade family, correct identification is important before consumption. Fruit - raw or cooked[61, 177]. It can also be dried and used whole as a flavouring in soups or ground into a powder and used as a mush or mixed with cereal flours[161, 257]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K].

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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].

Anderson's wolfberry is an excellent choice for native and xeriscape gardens. It requires excellent drainage, full sun, and minimal irrigation once established. Its colorful berries and extended flowering season also make it an attractive ornamental shrub. The flowers provide nectar for native bees and other pollinating insects, while the abundant berries are eagerly consumed by birds and small mammals. The thorny branches also provide valuable shelter and nesting sites for wildlife. Agroforestry uses: Goji can be used in agroforestry systems as a hedgerow or windbreak due to its dense growth. It also contributes to soil health and attracts beneficial insects. Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize banks[200]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Lycium species produce flowers that are rich in nectar and attract various pollinators, including bees and butterflies. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – 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. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The thorny branches can offer overwintering shelter for insects and invertebrates, and the leaf litter adds to groundcover, supporting beneficial organisms. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): No – Lycium species are not typically known for emitting strong scents that would confuse or repel pests.

Special Uses