Carolina Wolf-berry (Lycium carolinianum) Walter, 1788

 

Synonyms: Lycium quadrifidum, Lycium sandwicense, Evoista caroliniana, Carolina desert-thorn, Christmas berry

 

Lycium carolinianum is native to the southeastern USA, Mexico, and Cuba. It grows on sandy and calcareous soils at the edge of salt marshes; salt spray resistant. Shrub; thinly branched, spiny, upright or spreading; up to 90-150 cm in height. Leaves are succulent, linear to oblanceolate, alternate, but in clusters. Flowers are solitary, tubular, with 4-5 lobed corolla; petals are blue, lavender, or white. Fruit is small round or oval berry, bright red when fully ripened. L. carolinianum flowers in autumn and early winter; fruits in winter. This species is pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies, moths and bees. Fruit is eaten by birds.

 

		D65305 Carolina Wolf-berry (Lycium carolinianum) Crystal River Preserve Florida, USA Copyright © Michael Patrikeev All Rights Reserved
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