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Anderson, Wynn

Lycium berlandieri

Lycium berlandieri Dunal

Berlandier's Wolfberry, Wolfberry

Solanaceae (Potato Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: LYBE

USDA Native Status: L48 (N)

Perennial shrub to 8 feet tall. The small, tubular flowers have 4 or 5 lobes, protruding stamens, and are followed by round, red berries. The 1.25 inch (3.2 cm) long leaves are spatulate and mostly glabrous. This native, rangy, sprawling shrub blooms anytime from spring to fall.

Berlandier wolfberry is found on flats, along washes or arroyos, on dry, gravelly to sandy hills and bajadas, and on rocky slopes. The blue, lavender, or white flowers bloom from February to October. The fruit is a small red berry and is eaten by small birds and mammals, such as chachalacas and raccoons. Wolfberry is browsed by white-tailed deer and occasionally by livestock.

From the Image Gallery

12 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 8 feet tall.
Fruit: Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Feb , Mar , Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AZ , NM , OK , TX
Native Habitat: Hillsides, Slopes

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Low
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Cold Tolerant: yes
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Gravelly, Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, Clay

Benefit

Use Ornamental: Blooms ornamental, Fruits ornamental
Use Wildlife: Nectar-insects, Browse, Fruit-birds, Fruit-mammals
Use Medicinal: Historically, Native Americans have eaten Berlandier wolfberry berries and have used the plant for a wide variety of medicinal purposes
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: Moderate

Propagation

Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood Cuttings , Softwood Cuttings

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Austin, TX
NPSOT - Austin Chapter - Austin, TX

Bibliography

Bibref 355 - Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas and the Southwest (1991) Miller, G. O.
Bibref 291 - Texas Wildscapes: Gardening for Wildlife (1999) Damude, N. & K.C. Bender

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Web Reference

Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

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

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-19
Research By: TWC Staff

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