| Picture | Title | Caption | Copyright |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flower | Leaves and a single flower. | ©Sheldon Navie | |
| Habit | Stems and leaves. | ©Sheldon Navie | |
| Habit | Habit. | ©Sheldon Navie | |
| Fruits | Leaves and fruits. | ©Sheldon Navie |
Datasheet
Lycium ferocissimum (African boxthorn)
Index
- Pictures
- Identity
- Summary of Invasiveness
- Taxonomic Tree
- Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Description
- Plant Type
- Distribution
- Distribution Table
- History of Introduction and Spread
- Risk of Introduction
- Habitat
- Habitat List
- Hosts/Species Affected
- Growth Stages
- Biology and Ecology
- Latitude/Altitude Ranges
- Air Temperature
- Rainfall
- Rainfall Regime
- Soil Tolerances
- Notes on Natural Enemies
- Means of Movement and Dispersal
- Pathway Vectors
- Plant Trade
- Impact Summary
- Impact
- Impact: Biodiversity
- Social Impact
- Risk and Impact Factors
- Uses
- Uses List
- Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
- Prevention and Control
- References
- Links to Websites
- Distribution Maps
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Top of pageIdentity
Top of pagePreferred Scientific Name
- Lycium ferocissimum Miers
Preferred Common Name
- African boxthorn
Other Scientific Names
- Lycium campanulatum E. Mey. ex C.H. Wright
- Lycium chinense Sensu Bentham non Miller
- Lycium europeum Auct.
- Lycium horridum Auct.
- Lycium macrocalyx Domin
International Common Names
- English: boxthorn; cape boxthorn
Local Common Names
- South Africa: bocksdorn; slangbessie
EPPO code
- LYUFE (Lycium ferocissimum)
Summary of Invasiveness
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L. ferocissimum is a serious problem in Australia and New Zealand, after being introduced as a hedge plant due to its stout thorns and unpalatable foliage. It has, however, not been widely distributed around the world, and it is unlikely that it will be cultivated anywhere else. Birds and small mammals spread the seed widely and it is difficult to eradicate. L. ferocissimum is salt-tolerant, and can become the dominant species in vulnerable coastal and island plant communities where encroachment threatens the native flora and fauna in these habitats.
Taxonomic Tree
Top of page- Domain: Eukaryota
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Phylum: Spermatophyta
- Subphylum: Angiospermae
- Class: Dicotyledonae
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Solanaceae
- Genus: Lycium
- Species: Lycium ferocissimum
Notes on Taxonomy and Nomenclature
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The name Lycium derives from the Greek for 'thorny tree' and the English translation of ferocissimum is 'most fierce' or 'very savage', referring to the stout spines that protect the bush. There are about 80 species in the genus, approximately 50 native to the Americas and 30 are Old World species, of which over half of these are native to South Africa.
Description
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L. ferocissimum is a woody, erect, perennial shrub with a deep and extensive root system (Roy et al., 1998). It grows to 3-6 m tall, with widely spreading and drooping branches. The branches divide intricately ending in short branchlets. Main stems carry a stout spine up to 15 cm in length, and branchlets carry smaller spines. The short branches carry small shoots which have clusters of leaves surrounded at the base by many small, light-brown scales. Initially, stems are smooth and light brown but become grey and rough as they mature. Leaves are almost sessile, bright green, and somewhat fleshy. Leaves are largely obovate to oblong, rounded at the top, and tapering towards the base. Leaves vary in size from 5-35 mm long by 3-12 cm wide, and rarely up to 43 long by 20 mm wide. Flowers have a corolla 12 mm across above a 10-13 mm long broadly cylindrical, 5-petalled corolla tube, and hang singly or in pairs from short stalks in the forks of leaves or on the short stems. Flowers are perfect, white to mauve, but with mauve markings from the throat. Fruit berries are approximately 10 mm in diameter with a persistent calyx. They are initially green, but ripen to bright orange or red. Berries are mostly globular but sometimes tending to ovoid.
Distribution
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L. ferocissimum is native to the Cape region and Orange Free State, South Africa (Arnold and de Wet, 1993). It is a major weed in Australia and New Zealand (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Roy et al., 1998). In New Zealand, it is largely restricted to coastal areas in North and South Island (Webb et al., 1988), whereas in Australia it is present in all states, but only widely distributed in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. In dry regions it often grows around or in waterways (Marchant et al., 1987; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). This species has not been distributed widely around the world, and is not naturalized in North America, Europe, Asia or elsewhere in Africa.
Distribution Table
Top of pageThe distribution in this summary table is based on all the information available. When several references are cited, they may give conflicting information on the status. Further details may be available for individual references in the Distribution Table Details section which can be selected by going to Generate Report.
Last updated: 17 Dec 2021| Continent/Country/Region | Distribution | Last Reported | Origin | First Reported | Invasive | Planted | Reference | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Africa |
||||||||
| Ghana | Present | |||||||
| Morocco | Present | |||||||
| South Africa | Present, Localized | Native | ||||||
| Tunisia | Present | |||||||
Europe |
||||||||
| Cyprus | Present | |||||||
| France | Present, Localized | |||||||
| Spain | Present | |||||||
North America |
||||||||
| Mexico | Present | |||||||
| United States | Present | |||||||
| -California | Present | |||||||
Oceania |
||||||||
| Australia | Present, Localized | |||||||
| -Lord Howe Island | Present | Introduced | 1963 | |||||
| -New South Wales | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
| -Northern Territory | Present, Localized | Invasive | ||||||
| -Queensland | Present, Localized | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | First reported: before 1917 | |||
| -South Australia | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
| -Tasmania | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
| -Victoria | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
| -Western Australia | Present, Widespread | Introduced | Invasive | Planted | ||||
| New Zealand | Present, Localized | Introduced | Invasive | |||||
History of Introduction and Spread
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L. ferrocissimum was planted widely in Australia as a hedge plant and had become naturalized by the mid 1800s (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992). It was first noted as a pest in Queensland, Australia in 1917 (Fuller, 1998). It was also planted in New Zealand and was first recorded as being naturalized in 1897 (Webb et al., 1988).
Risk of Introduction
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There is a only limited possibility that this species could be introduced as a hedging plant elsewhere. The greatest risk of further spread may be via natural spread by animals, or as seeds carried in the guts of traded birds or mammals. However, the risk of further introduction must be considered as small.
Habitat
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It is common on roadsides, railway embankments, along watercourses and in wastelands and similar neglected areas. It rarely spreads into well-managed pasture, but can invade disturbed ground. It is particularly common and especially invasive in coastal areas and dunes, and also on offshore islands (Abbott et al., 2000).
Habitat List
Top of page| Category | Sub-Category | Habitat | Presence | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrestrial | Managed | Managed forests, plantations and orchards | Present, no further details | |
| Terrestrial | Managed | Managed grasslands (grazing systems) | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial | Managed | Disturbed areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial | Managed | Rail / roadsides | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Terrestrial | Managed | Urban / peri-urban areas | Present, no further details | |
| Terrestrial | Natural / Semi-natural | Natural grasslands | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
| Littoral | Coastal areas | Present, no further details | Harmful (pest or invasive) |
Hosts/Species Affected
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L. ferocissimum can invade poorly managed and degraded pasture, but is not known as a weed of agricultural or plantation crops.
Biology and Ecology
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Genetics
Most species of Lycium have a chromosome number of n=12 (2n=24), though hybridization must occur as triploids and hexaploids have also been identified.
Physiology and Phenology
L. ferocissimum flowers from July to March in New Zealand (Roy et al., 1998), and similarly in the southern hemisphere summer in its native South Africa and exotic range Australia. L. ferocissimum is, however, capable of flowering and fruiting at any time given sufficient moisture. It is regarded as a halophyte (Webb et al., 1988) and its leaves may contain chemicals making them unpalatable to livestock.
Reproductive Biology
L. ferocissimum is hermaphroditic (Minne et al., 1994). Plants can flower from 2 years of age. Each berry contains up to 70 yellow or light-brown, oval, flattened seeds approximately 2.5 x 1.5 mm in size.
Environmental Requirements
L. ferocissimum is tolerant of a wide range of climates and soil types, but prefers lighter soils such as deep loams (Fuller, 1998). It is tolerant to saline soils and salt-laden sea winds, and is particularly aggressive in dry, coastal environments and islands. It is said to thrive on better soils in Queensland, Australia, but generally cannot invade dense vegetation.
Associations
Often associated with coastline vegetation and dunes although it is sometimes the only vegetation on some exposed sites (Webb et al., 1988).
Most species of Lycium have a chromosome number of n=12 (2n=24), though hybridization must occur as triploids and hexaploids have also been identified.
Physiology and Phenology
L. ferocissimum flowers from July to March in New Zealand (Roy et al., 1998), and similarly in the southern hemisphere summer in its native South Africa and exotic range Australia. L. ferocissimum is, however, capable of flowering and fruiting at any time given sufficient moisture. It is regarded as a halophyte (Webb et al., 1988) and its leaves may contain chemicals making them unpalatable to livestock.
Reproductive Biology
L. ferocissimum is hermaphroditic (Minne et al., 1994). Plants can flower from 2 years of age. Each berry contains up to 70 yellow or light-brown, oval, flattened seeds approximately 2.5 x 1.5 mm in size.
Environmental Requirements
L. ferocissimum is tolerant of a wide range of climates and soil types, but prefers lighter soils such as deep loams (Fuller, 1998). It is tolerant to saline soils and salt-laden sea winds, and is particularly aggressive in dry, coastal environments and islands. It is said to thrive on better soils in Queensland, Australia, but generally cannot invade dense vegetation.
Associations
Often associated with coastline vegetation and dunes although it is sometimes the only vegetation on some exposed sites (Webb et al., 1988).
Latitude/Altitude Ranges
Top of page| Latitude North (°N) | Latitude South (°S) | Altitude Lower (m) | Altitude Upper (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| -25 | -35 | 0 | 1000 |
Air Temperature
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit |
|---|---|---|
| Absolute minimum temperature (ºC) | 0 | 0 |
| Mean annual temperature (ºC) | 15 | 30 |
| Mean maximum temperature of hottest month (ºC) | 0 | 0 |
| Mean minimum temperature of coldest month (ºC) | 0 | 0 |
Rainfall
Top of page| Parameter | Lower limit | Upper limit | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry season duration | 2 | 6 | number of consecutive months with <40 mm rainfall |
| Mean annual rainfall | 200 | 800 | mm; lower/upper limits |
Soil Tolerances
Top of pageSoil drainage
- free
Soil reaction
- acid
- neutral
Soil texture
- light
- medium
Special soil tolerances
- infertile
- saline
Notes on Natural Enemies
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No significant natural enemies have been recorded (Scott and Delfosse, 1992).
Means of Movement and Dispersal
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Vector Transmission (Biotic)
Berries are ingested by birds and other small animals such as foxes (Fuller, 1998); the seeds remain viable after being voided. Seedlings are commonly found below habitual roosts of birds, such as under trees, fences and overhead wires. L. ferocissimum recently colonized Carnac Island, 8 km off the South Australian coast (Abbott et al., 2000) and long-distance spread by birds appears to be an effective dispersal mechanism.
Agricultural Practices
Seeds can be dispersed by the disposal of agricultural refuse. Some spread occurs through contamination of agricultural produce, gravel or mud, but these are considered of minor importance compared to spread by birds or mammals (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).
Intentional Introduction
This species was intentionally introduced to Australia and New Zealand as a hedge plant in the 1800s. It is no longer grown for this purpose, but many of the non-coastal incursions have probably spread from existing hedges.
Berries are ingested by birds and other small animals such as foxes (Fuller, 1998); the seeds remain viable after being voided. Seedlings are commonly found below habitual roosts of birds, such as under trees, fences and overhead wires. L. ferocissimum recently colonized Carnac Island, 8 km off the South Australian coast (Abbott et al., 2000) and long-distance spread by birds appears to be an effective dispersal mechanism.
Agricultural Practices
Seeds can be dispersed by the disposal of agricultural refuse. Some spread occurs through contamination of agricultural produce, gravel or mud, but these are considered of minor importance compared to spread by birds or mammals (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).
Intentional Introduction
This species was intentionally introduced to Australia and New Zealand as a hedge plant in the 1800s. It is no longer grown for this purpose, but many of the non-coastal incursions have probably spread from existing hedges.
Plant Trade
Top of page| Plant parts liable to carry the pest in trade/transport | Pest stages | Borne internally | Borne externally | Visibility of pest or symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruits (inc. pods) | weeds/seeds | |||
| True seeds (inc. grain) | weeds/seeds |
| Plant parts not known to carry the pest in trade/transport |
|---|
| Bark |
| Bulbs/Tubers/Corms/Rhizomes |
| Flowers/Inflorescences/Cones/Calyx |
| Growing medium accompanying plants |
| Leaves |
| Roots |
| Seedlings/Micropropagated plants |
| Stems (above ground)/Shoots/Trunks/Branches |
| Wood |
Impact Summary
Top of page| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Animal/plant collections | None |
| Animal/plant products | None |
| Biodiversity (generally) | Negative |
| Crop production | None |
| Environment (generally) | None |
| Fisheries / aquaculture | None |
| Forestry production | None |
| Human health | None |
| Livestock production | Negative |
| Native fauna | Negative |
| Native flora | Negative |
| Rare/protected species | Negative |
| Tourism | None |
| Trade/international relations | None |
| Transport/travel | None |
Impact
Top of page
L. ferocissimum produces a dense thicket armed with spines that form an impenetrable barrier to grazing animals. Large thickets reduce the productive value of grazing land, and harbour agricultural pests such as rabbits. It can threaten productive land through gradual ingression. Spines that are cut from, or become detached from plants can penetrate the feet or pelt of grazing animals and can cause serious injury. Berries are a reservoir for fruit fly pests in Queensland, Australia (NRM, 2003). The leaves are reputed to be poisonous to poultry, and poisoning of pigs by L. ferocissimum berries has been reported (Connor, 1977).
Impact: Biodiversity
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L. ferocissimum is prevalent in dry coastal vegetation in Australia (Carr, 1993) where infestations displace native plant species and encroach on the nesting sites of native birds and mammals. This weed is seriously interfering with seal breeding on beaches in the Recherche Archipelago, Western Australia, and threatens penguin breeding on Motunau Island in New Zealand. In its native range, however, L. ferocissimum has a positive effect on biodiversity as the thorns protect germinating seedlings of several valued palatable shrubs from over-grazing in the Karoo of South Africa (Todd, 2000).
Social Impact
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The spines of L. ferocissimum are robust and long-lived. They can lacerate humans and puncture vehicle tyres. The berries may be poisonous if ingested (Connor, 1977).
Risk and Impact Factors
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Invasiveness
- Proved invasive outside its native range
- Highly adaptable to different environments
- Tolerates, or benefits from, cultivation, browsing pressure, mutilation, fire etc
- Highly mobile locally
- Has high reproductive potential
- Negatively impacts agriculture
- Negatively impacts animal health
- Reduced native biodiversity
- Competition - monopolizing resources
- Produces spines, thorns or burrs
- Difficult to identify/detect as a commodity contaminant
- Difficult/costly to control
Uses
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L. ferocissimum was originally introduced to Australia and New Zealand as a hedge plant due to its stout thorns and unpalatability to livestock. It is very rarely planted for this purpose today, but many of these hedges still exist. Bees produce honey from L. ferocissimum flowers in parts of New Zealand (Walsh, 1967).
Similarities to Other Species/Conditions
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There are four Lycium species found in Australia but only one, L. australe, is native. These can be distinguished by combinations of leaf, flower and berry shape (Haegi, 1976), with L. barbarum, for example, separated by its oval leaves (Fuller, 1998). Two of these species are also naturalized in New Zealand (Webb et al., 1988). In Australia, the native tree violet (Hymenanthera dentata) has similar thorns and fruit and is occasionally confused.
Prevention and Control
Top of pageDue to the variable regulations around (de)registration of pesticides, your national list of registered pesticides or relevant authority should be consulted to determine which products are legally allowed for use in your country when considering chemical control. Pesticides should always be used in a lawful manner, consistent with the product's label.
Mechanical ControlLarge stands can be cleared by bulldozing, root-raking or blade ploughing or manually pulling up bushes or trees. The taproot of L. ferocissimum can produce new growth when broken and thus it can be hard to kill by such mechanical means. Physical removal of dead plants is advised because dead standing plants or trash can remain a spiny barrier for many years. Wholesale clearance will result in abundant regeneration from seeds. This can be effectively treated by further cultivation or by herbicides.
Chemical Control
Stems up to 5 cm in diameter can be successfully controlled by the careful application of herbicides in diesel to a height of 30-40 cm up the stem. Larger stems can be killed if the stem is cut, and the cut face is immediately treated with concentrated herbicide in the form of a liquid or paste. Foliar herbicide can be applied in late summer and autumn, but only when plants are actively growing (Lee, 1979) and are not effective during extended dry weather. This plant is difficult to kill and repeated applications may be necessary. Modern herbicides used for L. ferocissimum control include triclopyr, glyphosate, hexazinone, 2,4-D amine, picloram and various combinations. Use of a surfactant may reduce efficacy. Granular root-absorbed herbicides such as tebuthiuron may also be used, but as with all herbicides, use should strictly conform to label conditions and local regulations (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; NRM, 2003).
Biological Control
No biological control agents have been recorded (Scott and Delfosse, 1992).
References
Top of pageArnold TH; de Wet BC, 1993. Plants of southern Africa: names and distribution. Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa, No. 62. Pretoria, Republic of South Africa: Botanical Research Institute.
Carr GW, 1993. Flora of Victoria and its impact on indigenous biota. In: Foreman DB, Walsh NG, eds. Flora of Victoria, Vol. 1, Introduction. Melbourne, Australia: Inkata Press.
Connor HE, 1977. The Poisonous Plants of New Zealand. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 99.
EPPO, 2014. PQR database. Paris, France: European and Mediterranean Plant Protection Organization. http://www.eppo.int/DATABASES/pqr/pqr.htm
Fuller M, 1998. African boxthorn, Lycium ferocissimum. Agnote No. 590. Alice Springs, Australia: Weeds Branch.
Haegi L, 1976. Taxonomic account of Lycium (Solanaceae) in Australia. Australian Journal of Botany, 24:669-679.
Haegi L, 1986. Lycium. In: Jessop JP, Toelken HR, eds. Flora of South Australia, Part 3, edition 4. Adelaide, Australia: South Australian Government Printing Division.
Marchant NG; Wheeler JR; Rye BL; Bennett EM; Lander NS; Macfarlane TD, 1987. Flora of the Perth Region. Perth Australia: Western Australian Herbarium, Department of Agriculture, Western Australia.
Minne L; Spies JJ; Venter HJG; Venter AM, 1994. Breeding systems in some representatives of the genus Lycium (Solanaceae). Bothalia, 24:107-110.
NRM, 2003. Department of Natural Resources and Mines, Queensland, Australia. www.nrm.qld.au/factsheets/pdf/pest/PP8.pdf.
Roy B; Popay I; Champion P; James T; Rahman A, 1998. An Illustrated Guide to Common Weeds of New Zealand. Canterbury, New Zealand: New Zealand Plant Protection Society.
Todd SW, 2000. Patterns of seed production and shrub associations in two palatable shrub species under contrasting land use intensities. African Journal of Range and Forage Science, 17:22-26.
Walsh RS, 1967. Nectar and Pollen Sources of New Zealand. Wellington, New Zealand: National Beekeepers Association of New Zealand.
Webb CJ; Sykes WR; Garnock-Jones GJ, 1998. Flora of New Zealand, Vol. 2: Naturalised Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms, Dicotyledons. Christchurch, New Zealand: Botany Division, DSIR.
Distribution References
Arnold TH, de Wet BC, 1993. Plants of southern Africa: names and distribution. In: Memoirs of the Botanical Survey of South Africa, No. 62, Pretoria, South Africa:
CABI, Undated. Compendium record. Wallingford, UK: CABI
CABI, Undated a. CABI Compendium: Status as determined by CABI editor. Wallingford, UK: CABI
Links to Websites
Top of page| Website | URL | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| GISD/IASPMR: Invasive Alien Species Pathway Management Resource and DAISIE European Invasive Alien Species Gateway | https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.m93f6 | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
| Global register of Introduced and Invasive species (GRIIS) | http://griis.org/ | Data source for updated system data added to species habitat list. |
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