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Lycium andersonii Gray

Anderson wolfberry, Red-berry desert-thorn, Water jacket

Solanaceae (Potato Family)

USDA Symbol: LYAN

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Red-berry desert-thorn or Anderson wolfberry is a rounded, much-branched, spiny shrub from 3-6 ft. high. The leaves are broadly pear-shaped. Flowers occur from leaf axils, singly or in pairs. They are whitish-lavender and tubular and hang from a pedicel. Intricately branched, thorny shrub. Leaves: 1, thick and fleshy; shape and size variable, depending upon seasonal moisture. The fruit is round, red and fleshy.

The berries provide forage for such ground birds as Chukars and Gambel Quails. Black-chinned Hummingbirds are attracted by the flowers.

 

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Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Flower:
Fruit:
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Purple
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May

Distribution

USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , UT
Native Distribution: S. CA, e. to UT & NM; also n.w. Mex.
Native Habitat: Dry, stony hills, mesas & washes
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, gravelly soils.
Conditions Comments: In nature, Anderson wolfberry may occur as a single plant or in thickets.

Propagation

Description: Propagation is possible by seed, hardwood cuttings, layering, or division of suckers.
Seed Collection: Ripe berries may be picked from the bushes in the fall and the seeds extracted by maceration.
Seed Treatment: Seed dormancy in this genus is variable. Seeds of some species may require stratification at 41 degrees for 60-120 days.
Commercially Avail: yes

Find Seed or Plants

Find seed sources for this species at the Native Seed Network.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is either on display or available from the following:

Santa Barbara Botanic Garden - Santa Barbara, CA
Native Seed Network - Corvallis, OR

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Lycium andersonii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Lycium andersonii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lycium andersonii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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