Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
Wolfberry (Lycium barbarum)
The wolfberry is a slightly spiny, close relative of the goji which is known for it's health giving properties.
Also known as the matrimony vine, or chinese box thorn, the wolfberry
can make a good hedge, especially in exposed sites, or be trained up a fence or trellis eventually reaching about 1.5 - 2 m, with spiny, arching stems. Indeed, it has naturalized along some of our coastline in the south and west.
Fine grey-green leaves and funnel-shaped purple flowers through August to November, followed by the highly prized, small egg-shaped orange or scarlet berries of about 25 mm. Not only that but in China the leaves are often used as a flavouring, and for making tea, which accounts for another of its common names, the Duke of Argyle's tea plant.