1. * Anderson’s Wolfberry – Lycium andersonii
(LISS-ee-um an-der-SOW-nee-eye)
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
Native to: Foothills and desert areas from S. CA to New Mexico and S. to Baja. Locally in the Mojave
desert; dry, stony hills, mesas & desert washes, usually below 4000 ft.
woody perennial shrub mature height:4-8+ ft. mature width:4-8+ ft.
Many-branched, rounded spiny shrub. Leaves are thick, fleshy, of variable size & shape depending
on moisture. Foliage very dense – provides good cover. In nature, grows singly or in clumps.
Growth characteristics:
Blooms in spring, sometime between Mar & May. Flowers are tubular, whitelavender in color, small but pretty up close. Hummingbirds like the nectar. Fruit is an edible orange
fruit – eaten raw, dried or cooked. Berries are very showy in Summer/Fall.
Blooms/fruits:
Uses in the garden: Most often used as a hedge or large shrub in water-wise Southwestern gardens.
Good for hillsides & erosion control. Excellent habitat plant (see below).
palette gardens, particularly as it is a larger shrub.
Nice addition for desert
Sensible substitute for: Non-native shrubs.
Excellent all-round habitat plant. Dense foliage provides cover, perches & nesting sites
for birds, small animals. Fruits and seeds eaten by birds.
Attracts:
Requirements:
Element
Sun
Soil
Water
Fertilizer
Other
Requirement
Full sun to light shade.
Well-drained – sandy to gravelly is best;
Dry (Zone 1-2) to semi-dry (Zone 2 – probably best in garden setting)
None – low needs.
Tolerates maritime exposure, salty soils/water.
Management:
Prune to shape, if desired. Remove dead branches.
Propagation: from seed: yes; fresh seed
Long-lived and hardy.
by cuttings: use growth hormone; difficult
Plant/seed sources (see list for source numbers): 1, 10, 13, 16, 21
* CA native plant – probably not native to Western L.A. county
1/29/10
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