Lycium barbarum
Box Thorn
a perennial woody deciduous member of the Lycium genus in the family Solanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Lycium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- deciduous
- Woodiness
- woody
- Growth rate
- moderate
- Height
- 2.5 m
- Spread
- 4 m
- Fertility
- Bees
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Bees
Uses
Toxicity
Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Although no records of toxicity have been seen, some caution should be exercised with this species, particularly with regard to its edible leaves, since it belongs to a family that often contains toxins. However, use of the leaves is well documented and fairly widespread in some areas. The unripe fruit might also be suspect though the ripe fruit is wholesome.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked[9][2][4]. The fruit is a berry about 2cm in diameter[10][12]. A mild sweet liquorice flavour[12]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K]. Young shoots - cooked[9][15][20][2]. Used mainly as a flavouring, they can also be lightly cooked for 3 - 4 minutes and used as a vegetable, the flavour is somewhat cress-like but has also been described as peppermint-like[12]. The leaves wilt rapidly once they have been harvested[12]. Some caution is advised, see notes at top of the page. The leaves are a tea substitute[7].
- Plant part
- Fruit
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Tea
Medicinal uses
Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
A sweet tonic decoction made from the fruits is used to lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels[14]. It acts mainly on the liver and kidneys[18][6][14]. The fruit is taken internally in the treatment of high blood pressure, diabetes, poor eyesight, vertigo, lumbago, impotence and menopausal complaints[14]. The fruit is harvested when fully ripe and is dried for later use[14]. The root bark is a bitter, cooling, antibacterial herb that controls coughs and lowers fevers, blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels[18][6][14]. It is taken internally in the treatment of chronic fevers, internal haemorrhages, nosebleeds, tuberculosis, coughs, asthma etc[14]. It is applied externally to treat genital itching[14]. The bark is harvested in the winter and dried for later use[14]. Diuretic, purgative, [18][6]. The plant has a long history of medicinal use, both as a general, energy restoring tonic and also to cure a wide range of ailments from skin rashes and eyesight problems to diabetes[12]. A tonic tea is made from the leaves[12]. 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[13].
- Product or use
- Antibacterial
- Product or use
- Anticholesterolemic
- Product or use
- Antipyretic
- Product or use
- Cancer
- Product or use
- Diuretic
- Product or use
- Hypoglycaemic
- Product or use
- Ophthalmic
- Product or use
- Purgative
- Product or use
- Skin
- Product or use
- Tonic
- Product or use
- Vasodilator
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Can be grown as an informal hedge, succeeding in maritime exposure[17][10]. Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize sandy banks[10][12].
Environment
- Range
- Original habitat is obscure but probably S.E. Europe to S.W. Asia. Naturalized in Britain.
- Habitat
- Hedges, on walls and waste ground[5].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[19]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[19]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late winter in a cold frame. High percentage[19][10]. Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. Layering.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality[1][10]. Succeeds in impoverished soils[10], but more fertile soils are best if the plant is being grown for its edible young shoots[12]. Requires a sunny position[10]. Some plants at Kew are growing well in light shade[K]. Tolerates maritime exposure[3][16][10]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[11]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[12]. Plants are very tolerant of pruning and can regrow from old wood[11]. Any trimming is best carried out in the spring[8]. Plants produce suckers freely and can become invasive when in a suitable position. Otherwise they can be difficult to establish[11]. There is much confusion over the naming of this species. Most, if not all, of the plants being grown as L. chinense or L. europaeum are in fact this species[3].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00
Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00
Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-670-82929-3
Larkcom J. Oriental Vegetables John Murray 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-4781-4
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31
Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00
Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
Thurston. Trees and Shrubs in Cornwall.
Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9