Sonoran Native Virtual Tour - WOLFBERRY

Lycium fremontii        |       Solanaceae       |        wolfberry

Desert Ecology:

An extremely versatile shrub which tolerates mildly acidic to strongly alkaline soils and grows below 3000 feet elevation and occasionally found. Although up to 6000 feet. It is drought deciduous, blooming in Feb-Mar. Bees, butterfly, and hummingbirds pollinate the purple, tubular flowers and other desert creatures use the shrub as habitat - especially birds who eat the fruits. Although the berries are edible for human consumption, (they are related to the Goji berry), be careful as they may blacken your teeth.

Ethnobotany:

Indigenous people ate fruits fresh, mashed, dried, or juiced and made a sauce with flour and water. Among the tribes known to rely on the wolfberry are the Hiá ced O’ohdam and Tohono O’odham, Pima, Maricopa, Mohave, Quechan, and Cocopa peoples.

Next Stop ⇒ Crucifixion Thorn

Previous Stop ⇒ Sotol

Return to Sonoran Native Navigation Page

Additional Resources to Explore:

• Link to the Campus Arboretum Species Description page
• Link to the Campus Arboretum Sonoran Native Plants page (for booklet, self-guided campus tours, or docent led tour information)