Lycium carolinianum
Christmas Berry
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Lycium genus in the family Solanaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Solanaceae
- Genus
- Lycium
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 1.5 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 for this species, it does belong to a family that contains many poisonous plants. Some caution should be applied, especially towards leaves or unripe fruits, though ripe fruits are almost certainly edible.
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Fruit - raw or cooked. Rather pleasant eating, the fruit has a slightly salty taste[2]. The fruit is a berry up to 12mm in diameter[3]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K].
- Plant part
- Fruit
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.
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[4].
- Product or use
- Cancer
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize banks[3].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- South-eastern N. America - S. Carolina to Florida and Texas.
- Habitat
- Not known
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- 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[5]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[5]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late winter in a cold frame. High percentage[5][3]. 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, succeeding in most soils[1]. It does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality[1]. Succeeds in impoverished soils[3]. Requires a sunny position[3]. Tolerates maritime exposure[3]. This species is not very hardy outside the milder areas of Britain, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3].
References
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00