Lycium californicum, California Box Thorn

California Boxthorn, California Desert Thorn

A California native nightshade that can reach up to three feet tall and ten feet wide.  It is native to the Southern California coast, from Channel Islands down to Baja California.  This shrub has thorns.  White flowers bloom in the spring through summer.  The berries are edible and taste like tomatoes.  It goes deciduous in the summer, if watered throughout the summer it will remain green and not loose its leaves.  

Plant with: Shaw's Agave (Agave shawii), Sagebrush (Artemisia californica), San Diego Viguiera (Bahiopsis laciniata), Nevin's Barberry (Berberis nevinii), Bushrue (Cneoridium dumosum), Dudleya sp., California Encelia (Encelia californica), Buckwheat (Eriogonum fasciculatum or parvifolium), San Diego Barrel Cactus (Ferocactus viridescens), Chaparral Yucca (Hesperoyucca whipplei), Menzies' Goldenbush (Isocoma menziesii), Fishhook Cactus (Mammillaria dioica), Nuttall's Scrub Oak (Quercus dumosa), Redberry (Rhamnus crocea), Sage (Salvia sp.)

- Full sun

- Likes sandy soil but can tolerate clay

- Attracts butterflies

- Native to California