Lycium chinense

'Chinese Boxthorn'

Solanaceae: a vine-like, multi-stemmed, deciduous shrub to 2.5m, with sprawling branches. Found slopes, roadsides, disturbed areas and wastelands. The flowers are small, tubular, pale purple/lavender, arising from the leaf axils. Blooming from June-August. The bright red berries (Goji berries) are about 7/8" long and mature in fall. Ripe berries are edible (with a sweet Licorice flavour). The leaves ovate, rhombic, elliptic or lanceolate leaves (to 1-3" long) are bright green. Native to East Asia - China, Japan. Naturalized in Britain, especially by the sea.

USES:

The fruit can be eaten raw, or cooked in soups or dried for later use. The berries have a sweet with an aniseed-like flavour. The fruit is an oblong berry about 15mm long by 8mm wide. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten. The leaves and young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked. A peppermint-like flavour, the leaves are used in salads or used as a potherb, and they are rich in vitamin.

Chinese boxthorn is a major Chinese tonic herb with a history of almost 2,000 years of medicinal use. Both the berries and the root are used and traditionally the plant is believed to promote long life. The fruit is one of the most popular tonics used in Chinese herbal medicine. A decoction is used to clear the vision, strengthen the kidneys, restore semen and nourish the liver. The fruit protects the liver from damage caused by exposure to toxins. It is also used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus, vertigo, nocturnal emissions and aching back and legs. The root bark has antibacterial, antipyretic, hepatic, hypoglycaemic and vasodilator properties. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as digestive secretions.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually good and quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. GA3 (Gibberellic acid) helps. An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality, but requires a sunny position. A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -23°C, and tolerates maritime exposure well.

HARVESTED:

APPROX. 200+ SEEDS