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Lycium chinense
| Common name: |
Chinese Boxthorn |
Family: |
Solanaceae |
| Author: |
Mill. |
Botanical references: |
11, 58, 200 |
| Synonyms: |
Lycium ovatum (Loisel.) |
| Known Hazards: |
Some caution should be exercised with this species, particularly with regard to its edible leaves, since it belongs to a family that often contains toxins. However, use of the leaves is well documented and fairly widespread in some areas. |
| Range: |
E. Asia - China, Japan. Naturalized in Britain, especially by the sea. |
| Habitat: |
Thickets and river banks in lowland C. and S. Japan[58]. |
| Edibility Rating (1-5): |
4 | Medicinal Rating (1-5): | 3 |
| Other Possible Synonyms: | From various places across the web, may not be correct. See below. |
| L. chinense var. chinense[G]
L. chinense var. ovatum[G]
L. chinensis[E]
|
| Other Common Names: | From various places around the Web, may not be correct. See below. |
| Chinese Desertthorn [P], Chinese Matrimony-vine [B], Chinese Wolfberry [H], Hsien Jen Chang [E], Ko-chi [H], Kou Chi [E], Kou Chi Chien [E], Kou Chi Chiu [E], Kuko [E,H], T'Ien Ts'Ai [E], Ti Ku P'I [E], Yang Ju [E], |
| Systematics: | From a USDA Plants Database |
|
Order: Solanales. Potato family
|
| Other Range Info: |
From the Ethnobotany Database |
|
China
Japan Java Malaya (Import)
|
Physical Characteristics
A decidious shrub growing to 2.5m by 2m at a medium rate. It is hardy to zone 6. It is in flower from June to August. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees.
We rate it 4/5 for edibility and
3/5 for medicinal use.
The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil.
The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils.
It cannot grow in the shade.
It requires moist soil.
The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.
Habitats and Possible Locations
Hedge, Woodland, Sunny Edge, Dappled Shade.Edible Uses
Coffee
Fruit Leaves Tea.
Fruit - raw, cooked in soups etc or dried for later use[174, 178, 183].
Sweet with an aniseed-like flavour[183]. The fruit is an oblong berry about
15mm long by 8mm wid[266]. Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten[K].
Leaves and young shoots - raw or cooked[61, 174, 178]. A peppermint-like
flavour, the leaves are used in salads or used as a potherb[183]. Rich in
vitamin A., the leaves also contain about 3.9% protein, 2.25% carbohydrate,
0.7% fat, 1.4% ash[179].
The roasted seed is a coffee substitute[183].
The dried leaves are a tea substitute[183]. Composition
- Leaves (Dry weight)
-
In grammes per 100g weight of food:
Water: 0
Calories: 279
Protein: 39.4
Fat: 5.8
Carbohydrate: 38.5
Fibre: 12.5
Ash: 16.3
In milligrammes per 100g weight of food:
Calcium: 1423
Phosphorus: 414
Iron: 51.9
Sodium: 1836
Potassium: 4981
VitaminA: 43
Thiamine: 0.77
Riboflavin: 2.98
Niacin: 7.69
VitaminC: 77
Source: [218]
Medicinal Uses
Disclaimer
Antibacterial
Antipyretic Cancer Haemostatic Hepatic Hypoglycaemic Infertility Kidney Ophthalmic Tonic Vasodilator.
Chinese boxthorn is a major Chinese tonic herb with a history of almost
2,000 years of medicinal use[254]. Both the berries and the root are used and
traditionally the plant is believed to promote long life[254].
The fruit is one of the most popular tonics used in Chinese herbal
medicine[176, 218]. A decoction is used to clear the vision, strengthen the
kidneys, restore semen and nourish the liver[147]. The fruit protects the
liver from damage caused by exposure to toxins[254]. It is also used in the
treatment of diabetes mellitus, vertigo, nocturnal emissions and aching back
and legs[176].
The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins
and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other
bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty
acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a
food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means
of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[214].
The seed is used as a haemostat for the control of bleeding, with a special
action on the kidneys and sex organs[218].
The root bark is antibacterial, antipyretic, hepatic, hypoglycaemic and
vasodilator[176]. It stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system, which
controls involuntary bodily functions such as digestive secretions[254]. The
root is used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis and pneumonia in
small children[147], chronic febrile disease, night sweats, cough and asthma,
tuberculosis, hypertension and diabetes mellitus[176]. The root can be
harvested at any time of the year but traditionally it is harvested in the
spring and can be dried for later use[254].
The root bark contains betaine. This can increase the rate of growth of farm
animals and increase the weight and amount of eggs, it is used in the
treatment of achlorhydria, atherosclerosis and hepatic diseases[176].
Haemostatic[174].
Other Uses
Hedge
Soil stabilization.
Can be grown as an informal hedge, succeeding in maritime
exposure[200].
Plants have an extensive root system and can be planted to stabilize
banks[200].
Cultivation details
An easily grown plant, it does not require a rich soil, flowering and
fruiting better in a well-drained soil of moderate quality[1, 11, 200].
Succeeds in impoverished soils[200]. Requires a sunny position[200].
Tolerates maritime exposure[200].
A very hardy plant, tolerating temperatures down to about -23° c[200].
This species is widely cultivated for its edible young shoots in China.
There is much confusion between this species and the closely related L.
barbarum. Most, if not all, of the plants being grown as L. chinense in
Britain are in fact L.barbarum[11, 50, 200].
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a greenhouse. Germination is usually good
and fairly quick. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are
large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first
winter. Plant out in late spring or early summer. Pinch out the shoot tips of
the young plants in order to encourage bushy growth[78].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel if possible, July/August in
individual pots in a frame. Good percentage[78].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current season's growth, autumn to late
winter in a cold frame. High percentage[78, 200].
Division of suckers in late winter. Very easy, the suckers can be planted
out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering.
Suppliers
For more details of plant suppliers please see our Suppliers Page which lists many more places to look.
PFAF Web Pages
This plant is mentioned in the following web pages
Web References
- [H] Details of Scandanavian and European Common names in Henriette's names database
- [E] Ethnobotany Data
(common names, uses, countries) from the Ethnobotany Database.
- [B] Data
(Latin & Common names, other references) from the BONAP's Synonymized Checklist of the Vascular Flora of the United States, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
- [C] Taxon data.
from the CalFlora database.
- [PHARM] Phytochemical Data
(common names, uses, countries) from Dr Duke's Phytochemical Database.
- [P] Data.
(uses, distribution, wetland) from the USDA'a Plants database.
- [HP] Links, Photos, Suppliers from Hortiplex Plant Database
References for Lycium chinense var. chinense (a possible synonym).
- [G] Data
(Common Names, Uses, Distribution) from the USDA/ARS NPGS's GRIN taxonomic database.
References for Lycium chinensis (a possible synonym).
References for lycium chinense (a possible synonym).
References for the family Solanaceae.
See the PFAF Links Pages for other sources.
Also try Photos and info from the The Plants Database which has 14,000 images.
[K] Ken Fern
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).
[11] Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981
A classic with a wealth of information on the plants, but poor on pictures.
[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
[58] Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965
The standard work. Brilliant, but not for the casual reader.
[61] Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974 ISBN 0094579202
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
[78] Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948
A bit dated but a good book on propagation techniques with specific details for a wide range of plants.
[147] ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
[174] Kariyone. T. Atlas of Medicinal Plants.
A good Japanese herbal.
[176] Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985
A very good Chinese herbal.
[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.
[179] Reid. B. E. Famine Foods of the Chiu-Huang Pen-ts'ao. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 1977
A translation of an ancient Chinese book on edible wild foods. Fascinating.
[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.
[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[214] Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994 ISBN 1352-4186
A quarterly magazine, it has articles on Himalayacalamus hookerianus, hardy Euphorbias and an excellent article on Hippophae spp.
[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.
[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
[266] Flora of China 1994
On-line version of the Flora - an excellent resource giving basic info on habitat and some uses.
Readers Comments
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