Chinese Boxthorn (Lycium chinense)

Family: Solanaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Lycium chinense is one of two species of boxthorn (also Lycium barbarum) from which the goji berry or wolfberry are harvested. Chinese boxthorn is a major Chinese tonic herb with a history of almost 2,000 years of medicinal use. The fruit is cooked in soups or dried for later use. Sweet with an aniseed-like flavour.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Berries, Nuts/Seeds, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Sweet with an aniseed-like flavour. — Fruit - raw, cooked in soups etc or dried for later use.; Sweet with an aniseed-like flavour.; The fruit is an oblong berry about 15mm long by 8mm wid.; Only the fully ripe fruits should be eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

Thickets and river banks in lowland C. and S. Japan. (Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9)