Goji Berry
Lycium barbarum or L. chinense
Family: Solanaceae
Goji berry is native to tropical or warm regions of mainland East and Southeast Asia and South Africa. Other common names are wolfberry, matrimony vine, and boxthorn. We have several species of Lycium native to our own region in the southwest United States. There are 11 species in Arizona along.
Plant growth habit varies significantly among cultivars, ranging from viney to erect. Spines are present on most cultivars but vary in size and number. When pruned, plants are typically 3 to 6 feet tall but if left without cultivation they can reach 12 feet. Solitary, purple blossoms form in the late spring (although some species have greenish or cream flowers) and are followed by small orange to red fruit about 4 to 6 weeks later. Plants are self fruitful and do not require cross-pollination.
The fruit has also been an ingredient in traditional Chinese, Korean, and Japanese medicine since at least the 3rd century AD. In pharmacopeias, the fruit of the plant is called by the Latin name lycii fructus and the leaves are called herba lycii.
Since about 2000, goji berry and derived products have become common in developed countries as health foods or alternative medicine remedies
USES
Goji berry is most often purchased dried like raisins. But if you grow the plants you can eat them fresh as well, though the drying of the fruits concentrates their sweetness. They have an unusual flavor that is pleasing. Add them to salads, cook them into sauces, or cook into syrups.
GROWING
Plant goji berry plants so that they get afternoon shade in the summer. As temperatures get very high, they may defoliate and go dormant temporarily. Of course, our own native wolfberries do the same thing.
Plant in amended, but well-drained soil. Water established plants 1-2 times a month, deeply. In summer you might need to water more often. A nice mulch layer around the plant will help keep roots cooler and retain moisture.
Feed once or twice a year with a general purpose organic fertilizer. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers.
Plants may also go dormant a second time in winter, depending on how cold you get where you are.
This plant does not need pruning. Let them grow wild and give them plenty of space to grow.
Photo by daveeza on Wikipedia.