Lycium chinense (Chinese Boxthorn, Chinese Matrimony Vine, Chinese Goji Berry, Chinese Wolfberry, Chinese Desert Thorn)

Michael's Opinion

Lycium chinense is an interesting plant in the Solanaceae family, which like many other nightshades, has a long and varied history of medicinal and nutritional use. Both Lycium chinense and Lycium barbarum are often confused with each other due to being very similar species, and both produce what has become known as a superfood, the Goji berry. Goji berries have gained notable popularity over the past two decades for their high levels of vitamins and antioxidants. The plant itself is relatively easy to grow and tolerates various conditions including poor soil, and is cold hardy. It’s complex root system can aid in bank stabilization, and the shrub size is simple to maintain with winter pruning, giving it potential to be a beneficial and low maintenance landscape plant.

Botanical Information

FamilySolanaceae
GenusLycium
Specieschinense
CategoryWoody
TypeShrub (deciduous), Vine
OriginNative to China, Mongolia, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Thailand. Introduced to other parts of East and Central Asia, parts of Europe, the UK, parts of West Asia, several U.S. States.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		Edible fruits and seeds, with berries containing high levels of Vitamins A and C, beta-carotene, iron, essential fatty acids and anti-oxidants. Berries and roots have been used medicinally in China and Japan for over 2000 years as an immune system booster and are often consumed as a tea. The shrub can be grown as an informal hedge. Furthermore, due to the extensive root system, the plant can be used as a ground cover or for landscape stabilization. An oil can be extracted from the seeds and used as a lubricant.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone6 - 9
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness Zone7 - 10
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH3 - H7
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)(-23) - (-2)
Temperature (°F)(-10) - 30
Height1 - 2 m
Spread1 - 3 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodJune, July, August

Description and Growing Information

General DescriptionLycium Chinense is a multi-stemmed deciduous vine-like shrub with bright green leaves, pale purple flowers, and red berries. It can be used as an informal hedge or to aid with stabilization of banks due to an intensive root system, but is most commonly cultivated for its highly nutritious berries. Most parts of the plant have edible or medicinal uses, and utilization goes back over 2000 years. The plant is often mistaken with the very similar Lycium barbarum.
ID CharacteristicLycium chinense is a vine-like shrub with green leaves and tubular pale purple flowers which appear in spring, and bright red berries which mature in autumn. Occasionally, thorns will grow on the stems of the plant.
ShapeIrregular, multi-stemmed with erect, sprawling branches.
LandscapeThe shrub grows well in many soil types and thrives in disturbed land such as previously inhabited lots, or close to roads and railways. It benefits from direct sun but will tolerate dappled sun. It can be grown as an informal hedge. Due to the vine-like sprawling of the branches, pruning can be completed during winter to keep the shrub to a reasonable size. It can aid in stabilization of banks, and is relatively easy to grow.
PropagationThe plant can be started from seed in light shade, often with a high level of quick germination. Mature and semi-mature cuttings can be taken with good results. Suckers can be divided from the parent plant for a bushier shape, and these suckers can be directly planted as new plants.
CultivationThe plant prefers temperate and subtropical zones with daytime temperatures between 13-25C, but can handle 8-32C. It is cold-hardy, with the ability to tolerate temperatures as low as -23C. It requires a spot in direct sun, with average-quality well-draining soil. The ideal pH is 5.5-7.5, but it will tolerate 0.5 either side of this range. Cultivars have been bred for the purpose of having larger berries. If growing for berries, a trellis may be provided for easier harvesting. Branches may be trimmed during winter to reduce sprawling.
PestsThere is a possibility of powdery mildew in certain conditions. The potato ladybird is a pest most known for feeding on potato leaves, but it can affect other plants also in the nightshade family, including Lycium chinense. The Goji Berry Gall Mite can attack leaves and create a round, flat gall. Other species that can affect the plant tend to be other nightshade pests such as the potato aphid, Colorado potato beetle, tomato hornworm, tobacco hornworm, potato flea beetle, and other common pests such as the cotton mealybug.
Notable SpecimensThere are several in various areas at the Missouri Botanical Garden, including in the Chinese Garden, the Boxwood Garden and various hoop houses and green houses.
HabitatLycium chinense is native to East Asia, and thrives in previously disturbed ground such as vacant lots, abandoned spaces, and near to roads and railways. It is often confused with Lycium barbarum which is a similar species.
Bark/Stem DescriptionYoung branches are green and smooth. Older stems turn brown but remain mostly smooth, although they may develop thorns.
Flower/Leaf Bud DescriptionOne leaf bud grows from each node, and solitary or double flower buds grow from leaf axils.
Leaf DescriptionBright green simple leaves, 2.5-7.6cm long. May vary in shape between elliptic, rhombic, lance plate or ovate. Leaves grow on stalks with one leaf growing per node.
Flower DescriptionLight purple to pale blue-purple flowers with 5 petals. Tubular flowers which are usually either solitary or paired and located in leaf axils. Flowering occurs from June to August.
Fruit DescriptionSimple red fleshy fruit. Egg-shaped berries with wild fruits being 0.7-1.5cm long and 5-8mm wide, and cultivars being 2.2cm long and 1cm wide.
Colour DescriptionThe plant has bright green flowers with pale purple flowers appearing in spring. After flowering, vibrant red berries grow, and mature in the autumn.
Texture DescriptionSmooth bark, smooth leaf tops with hairy underside. Mature branches sometimes have thorns. Berries have a fleshy texture.

Photographs