Marcus, Joseph A.
Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum (Dunal) C.L. Hitchc.
Carolina wolfberry, Creeping wolfberry, Carolina desert-thorn
Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Carolina Wolfberry is a thinly branched, spiny, upright or somewhat spreading shrub. The new branches may have 1-centimeter-long thick spines, or be unarmed; older branches, however, are spiny. Leaves are somewhat succulent, and variety quadrifidum is distinguished as a variety because it has larger leaves and flowers and more spines, as well as by its more western distribution. Its lavender
calyx is wheel-shaped to bell-shaped. Carolina wolfberry is distinctive in having a four-lobed
corolla, as most of the plants in the Solanaceae family have five lobes.
Image Gallery:
3 photo(s) available
Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial Habit: Shrub Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen Leaf Arrangement: Alternate Leaf Margin: Entire Breeding System: Flowers
Bisexual Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch
Fruit: Tomato red 1/4 to 1/2 inch
Size Class: 1-3 ft. , 3-6 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: LA , MS , TX
Native Distribution: From Mississippi to southeast Texas to northeastern Mexico
Native Habitat: About ponds, along and in ditches, marshes, on wet clay flats, salt flats, and in sandy/gravelly soil on brush covered hills.
USDA Native Status: L48(N) Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Drought Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Seasonally inundated sand, loam, clay, or gravel. Salt-tolerant.
Conditions Comments: Will grow in harsh conditions, but is drought-deciduous, meaning it loses its leaves during summer droughts.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: Fruits ornamental. Ground cover. Good for wetland gardens and wildlife habitat.
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Fruit-birds, Browse
Attracts: Birds
Last Update: 2009-03-07
