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Lycium chinense
  • Chinese Boxthorn

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Lycium genus in the family Solanaceae.

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Hedge
    Hedge
    There are no details available for this function.
  • Earth stabiliser
    Earth stabiliser
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 6
    Zone 6
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Lycium chinense has 0 edible uses listed
Lycium chinense has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

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.

Edible uses

Notes

Fruit - raw, cooked in soups etc or dried for later use[1][2][3]. Sweet with an aniseed-like flavour[3]. The fruit is an oblong berry about 15mm long by 8mm wid[4]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K].

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[5][1][2]. A peppermint-like flavour, the leaves are used in salads or used as a potherb[3]. Rich in vitamin A., the leaves also contain about 3.9% protein, 2.25% carbohydrate, 0.7% fat, 1.4% ash[6]. The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[3].

The dried leaves are a tea substitute[3].

Unknown part

Coffee
Tea

Fruit

Unknown use

Leaves

Unknown use

Material uses

Can be grown as an informal hedge, succeeding in maritime exposure[7]. Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize banks[7].
There are no material uses listed for Lycium chinense.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Chinese boxthorn is a major Chinese tonic herb with a history of almost 2,000 years of medicinal use[8]. Both the berries and the root are used and traditionally the plant is believed to promote long life[8].

The fruit is one of the most popular tonics used in Chinese herbal medicine[9][10]. A decoction is used to clear the vision, strengthen the kidneys, restore semen and nourish the liver[11]. The fruit protects the liver from damage caused by exposure to toxins[8]. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, vertigo, nocturnal emissions and aching back and legs[9]. 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[12]. The seed is used as a haemostat for the control of bleeding, with a special action on the kidneys and sex organs[10]. The root bark is antibacterial, antipyretic, hepatic, hypoglycaemic and vasodilator[9]. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as digestive secretions[8]. The root is used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia in small children[11], chronic febrile disease, night sweats, cough and asthma, tuberculosis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus[9]. The root can be harvested at any time of the year but traditionally it is harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[8]. The root bark contains betaine. This can increase the rate of growth of farm animals and increase the weight and amount of eggs, it is used in the treatment of achlorhydria, atherosclerosis and hepatic diseases[9].

Haemostatic[1].

Unknown part

Antibacterial
Antipyretic
Cancer
Haemostatic
Hepatic
Hypoglycaemic
Infertility
Kidney
Ophthalmic
Tonic
Vasodilator

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Hedge


Earth stabiliser

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

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[13].

Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, July/August in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[13]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late winter in a cold frame. High percentage[13][7]. Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.

Layering.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Lycium chinense. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality[14][15][7]. Succeeds in impoverished soils[7]. Requires a sunny position[7]. Tolerates maritime exposure[7].

A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -23°c[7]. This species is widely cultivated for its edible young shoots in China.

There is much confusion between this species and the closely related L. barbarum. Most, if not all, of the plants being grown as L. chinense in Britain are in fact L.barbarum[15][16][7].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Lycium chinense. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Lycium chinense.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Lycium chinense
Genus
Lycium
Family
Solanaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
[1][2][3][4][5][6]
Medicinal uses
[8][9][10][11][12][1]
Material uses & Functions
[7]
Botanic
[15][17][7]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Hedge, Earth stabiliser
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
6
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
  • Maritime exposure
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
deciduous
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
2.5 x 2 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Bees
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


"image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

"image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki."image:Lycium chinense 13.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.4 Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants. ()
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre ()
  3. ? 3.03.13.23.33.43.5 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.1 [Flora of China] (1994-00-00)
  5. ? 5.05.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.1 Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre (1977-00-00)
  7. ? 7.007.017.027.037.047.057.067.077.087.097.10 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.5 Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London ISBN 9-780751-303148 (1996-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.19.29.39.49.5 Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles (1985-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.110.2 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  11. ? 11.011.111.2 ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X ()
  12. ? 12.012.1 Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society ISBN 1352-4186 (1994-00-00)
  13. ? 13.013.113.2 Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co (1948-00-00)
  14. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  15. ? 15.015.115.2 Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray (1981-00-00)
  16. ? ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press (1964-00-00)
  17. ? Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution (1965-00-00)

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Facts about "Lycium chinense"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familySolanaceae +
Belongs to genusLycium +
Functions asHedge + and Earth stabiliser +
Has common nameChinese Boxthorn +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has edible partUnknown part +, Fruit + and Leaves +
Has edible useCoffee substitute +, Unknown use + and Tea +
Has environmental toleranceMaritime exposure + and High wind +
Has fertility typeBee +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone6 +
Has imageLycium chinense 13.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height2.5 +
Has mature width2 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAntibacterial +, Antipyretic +, Cancer +, Haemostatic +, Hepatic +, Hypoglycaemic +, Infertility +, Kidney +, Ophthalmic +, Tonic + and Vasodilator +
Has primary imageLycium chinense 13.JPG +
Has search namelycium chinense + and x +
Has shade toleranceNo shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameLycium chinense +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates maritime exposureYes +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +