Solanaceae

Lycium ferocissimum

Common Names: African boxthorn

Plant Form: Upright spiny shrub. Size: Up to 6 m tall. Stem: Woody, rigid, branched, with thorns up to 15 cm long. Leaves: Oval with rounded tip, fleshy, bright green, 10-40 mm long. Flowers: White to purple with 5 petals, 1 cm diameter. Fruit and Seeds: Round berries, green when unripe and red when ripe, 5-10 mm diameter, 20-70 seeds per fruit. Habitat: Dry, sandy woodlands, rangelands, roadsides and waterways. Distinguishing Features: Larger berries and stamens extending outside of the flower compared to the native Australian boxthorn (Lycium australe). Impacts: Forms dense impenetrable thickets blocking land, harbours pests and diseases, outcompetes and replaces native vegetation.

Small flowers and fruit

Twigs end in spines

Big, dense bushes

Leaves