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Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum
Lycium carolinianum Walter var. quadrifidum (Dunal) C.L. Hitchc.
Carolina Wolfberry, Creeping Wolfberry, Carolina Desert-thorn
Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LYCAQ
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
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.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Margin: Entire
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 6 feet tall.
Flower: Flowers 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch.
Fruit: Tomato red, 1/4 to 1/2 inch.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct
Distribution
USA: LA , MS , TXNative 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.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: MediumLight 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
Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood CuttingsCommercially Avail: yes
Maintenance: Water during summer drought. Use line trimmer to keep it at a pleasing height.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Bibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiSearch More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 57 - Atlas of Florida Plants (2020) Institute for Systematic BotanyWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Webref 1 - Texas Native Shrubs (2002) Texas A&M University Agriculture Program and Leslie Finical, Dallas Arboretum
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lycium carolinianum var. quadrifidum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-02-17Research By: NPIS