Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Lycium ferocissimum Miers (1854)
Vernacular Name(s):
African boxthorn; Boxthorn
 Description

Densely branched evergreen shrub, 1–6 m high. Shoots and young lvs with minute glandular scales. Lvs subsessile or shortly petiolate, alternate on young shoots but on mature stems mostly in fascicles on short spurs along the rigid branch spines. Lamina 5–43 × 3–12 mm, oblong, linear-oblong or spathulate; base attenuate; apex rounded-truncate. Fls 1–2–(3) together, on short spurs. Pedicels slender, c. 5 mm long at flowering, to 2 cm long at fruiting. Calyx 4–8 mm long, tubular-campanulate; teeth triangular, obtuse to acute. Corolla 10–13 mm long; tube broad-cylindric; lobes 4–5 mm long, obovate, pale mauve or cream; apex rounded. Filaments hairy at base. Fr. 5–12–(14) mm diam., globular or somewhat obovoid, scarlet.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Jul.–Mar.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Stewart, J. 1971: Plants in New Zealand Poisonous to Man. New Zealand Department of Health, Wellington.