There is much confusion between this species and the closely related Lycium barbarum. Most, if not all, of the plants being grown as Lycium chinense in Britain are in fact Lycium barbarum[, , ].

Common Name: Chinese Boxthorn

General Information

Lycium chinense is an erect or sprawling, much-branched shrub usually growing 50 - 100cm tall, occasionally to 200cm[].
The plant is a famous tonic in Traditional Chinese Medicine and has become very popular in many other countries. It also supplies an edible fruit and leaves. The plant is harvested from the wild and also often cultivated for food and medicine, as well as being grown as a hedge, for soil stabilization and as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

Some caution should be exercised with this species, particularly with regard to its edible leaves, since it belongs to a family that often contains toxins. However, use of the leaves is well documented and fairly widespread in some areas.

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - eastern China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea.

Habitat

Thickets and river banks in lowland C. and S. Japan[]. Slopes, wastelands, saline places, roadsides, near houses in China[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Lycium chinense is a plant mainly of the temperate and subtropical zones, but it can be cultivated in the tropics at elevations from sea level up to 2,000 metres. It flowers profusely at low elevations, but does not flower at high elevations[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 13 - 25°c, but can tolerate 8 - 32°c[]. It is a very cold-hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -23°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 1,500mm, but tolerates 300 - 2,200mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich soil, flowering and fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality[, , ]. Succeeds in impoverished soils[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7.5, tolerating 5 - 8[]. Tolerates maritime exposure[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked in soups etc or dried for later use[, , ]. 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[].

Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[, , ]. A peppermint-like flavour, the leaves are used in salads or used as a potherb[]. Rich in vitamin A., the leaves also contain about 3.9% protein, 2.25% carbohydrate, 0.7% fat, 1.4% ash[].

The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[].

The dried leaves are a tea substitute[].

An oil obtained from the seeds is used for cooking[].

Medicinal

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 fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavonoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[].

The seed is used as a haemostat for the control of bleeding, with a special action on the kidneys and sex organs[].

The root bark is antibacterial, antipyretic, hepatic, hypoglycaemic and vasodilator[]. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which controls involuntary bodily functions such as digestive secretions[]. The root is used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia in small children[], chronic febrile disease, night sweats, cough and asthma, tuberculosis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus[]. The root can be harvested at any time of the year but traditionally it is harvested in the spring and can be dried for later use[].
The root bark contains betaine. This can increase the rate of growth of farm animals and increase the weight and amount of eggs, it is used in the treatment of achlorhydria, atherosclerosis and hepatic diseases[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Can be grown as an informal hedge, succeeding in maritime exposure[].
Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted for ground cover and to stabilize banks[, ].

Other Uses

An oil obtained from the seeds can be used as a lubricant[].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually good and fairly 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. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Pinch out the shoot tips of the young plants in order to encourage bushy growth[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, mid summer in individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late winter in a cold frame. High percentage[, ].
Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering.