African Box-thorn

African Box-thorn
African Box-thorn

African Box-thorn

Lycium ferocissimum

The fruit is a berry, initially green and maturing to orange-red. The fruits are partially covered by the calyx.

Details Description
Type
Shrub
Group
Nightshade
Identifying Characteristics

A densely branched shrub with spiny branches. Pale green leaves grow in clusters at the base of each spine. The leaves are up to 4 cm long and 1 cm wide. Single flowers are up to 12 mm long with a white or pale lilac corolla which may have purple blotches on the petal lobes. Flowers spring and summer.
Distinctive Features

Clustered leaves and spines.
Life Form Group
Shrub
Life Form Codes
Medium Shrub (MS)
EVC types
EVC 175: Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_61: Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 55_63: Higher Rainfall Plains Grassy Woodland
EVC 649: Stony Knoll Shrubland
EVC 68: Creekline Grassy Woodland
Native Status
Introduced
Weed Status Invasiveness
High INVASIVE
Weed Status Impact
High IMPACT
Taxonomy
Phylum
Charophyta
Class
Equisetopsida
Order
Solanales
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Lycium
Species
ferocissimum
African Box-thorn
Native to South Africa. Naturalized in all Australian states and New Zealand.

Distribution maps indicate current and historic locations where species have been sighted.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Endangered Status
DEPI Advisory List
Not listed
FFG Act
Not listed
EPBC Act
Not listed

The conservation status of species is listed within Victoria and Australia.

The Department of Environment and Primary Industry (DEPI) Advisory List consists of non-statutory advisory lists of rare or threatened flora and fauna within Victoria.

The Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (FFG Act) lists threatened species in Victoria. Under the Act, an Action Statement is produced for each listed species.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) is the Australian Government’s key piece of environmental legislation, listing nationally threatened native species and ecological communities.