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Lycium

Lycium

9.9
A group of mostly spiny bushes that includes goji berry plants
  • noun
  • /ˈlaɪsiəm/
  • Specialized
translation icon : lycium
  • Many people use Lycium as a traditional remedy for boosting their overall health.

Examples

  • In gardens, Lycium shrubs are often favored for their ability to attract wildlife.

  • And on Motunau Island, New Zealand, the exotic box-thorn (Lycium ferocissimum) increased after the control of rabbits.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The Lycium plant, commonly known as wolfberry, thrives in dry, sunny environments.

Compounds

Lycium halimifolium
  • Specialized
9.9

A bush with spiny branches, purple flowers, and orange-red berries

Lycium barbarum
  • Specialized
8.6

A small bush with spiny branches that produces bright orange-red berries called goji berries

Lycium carolinianum
  • Specialized
9.9

A spiny evergreen bush from the southeastern United States with spreading branches, purple flowers, and red berries

Surface Forms

Lycium singular
Lycia plural

Etymology

Lycium comes from the ancient place name Lycia, so it literally means 'from Lycia'. Think of these spiny, berry-bearing shrubs as plants from warm Lycia, like the goji or boxthorn, which helps explain why Lycium is the name for this group of shrubs.