Native Plants
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Lycium torreyi
Lycium torreyi A. Gray
Torrey Wolfberry, Desert-thorn, Box-thorn, Squawberry, Rabbit-thorn, Tomatillo, Garambullo
Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: LYTO
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Spiny (sometimes nearly unarmed), spreading to sprawling shrub often forming thickets. To 3 meters in height. Spatulate to oblanceolate-elliptic to 5 cm in length, borne thickly on the branches and dehiscing during droughts to be quickly replaced after rains. Flowers 1 to 3 in a fascicle, greenish-lavender to white, with five corolla lobes. Berries are bright red and juicy.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Shrub
Leaf Retention: Semi-evergreen
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Oblanceolate , Spatulate
Leaf Pubescence: Glabrous
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acute
Leaf Texture: Leathery , Smooth
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall.
Fruit: Bright red. 6-10mm
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Green , VioletBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Often flowers after fall rains. Fruit is produced from June through September.
Distribution
USA: AZ , CA , NM , NV , TX , UTNative Distribution: TX, NM, AZ, UT, NV, CA and MX.
Native Habitat: Mesquite, Saltbush, Tarbush and Creosotebush scrubland near arroyos and on alkalai sacatons.
Growing Conditions
Water Use: LowLight Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Dry
Drought Tolerance: High
Heat Tolerant: yes
Soil Description: Fine, silty, alluvial soils.
Conditions Comments: West Texas from El Paso to Big Bend.
Benefit
Use Wildlife: Berries are eaten by birds. Cover and habitat for birds and small mammals.Attracts: Birds
Propagation
Propagation Material: Seeds , Semi-hardwood CuttingsNational Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC |
Web Reference
Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) CalfloraWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Lycium torreyi in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Lycium torreyi in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Lycium torreyi
Metadata
Record Modified: 2022-10-19Research By: Joe Marcus