This species has sometimes been regarded as a form of Lycium europaeum, and the distinction between Lycium europaeum and Lycium shawii needs further study[].

Common Name:

General Information

Lycium shawii is an erect, spreading, sometimes scandent, intricately branched, very spiny shrub growing 1 - 3 metres tall, exceptionally becoming a small tree up to 4.5 metres tall[]. The spines are usually 5 - 10mm long, occasionally to 15mm[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is also grown as a hedge.

Known Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

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Range

E. Mediterranean; Africa - Egypt, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, S. Africa; through Arabia, Iran to India.

Habitat

Dry to relatively moist areas such as hilly country to the edge of floodplains; riverbanks and dambos; mixed woodland and wooded grassland; extending into miombo mainly on termitaria; cultivated areas and along roadsides; 910 - 1463 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows wild on soils varying from clayey, loamy to halophytic[].
The plant forms thick clumps and is reputed to harbour snakes and rats[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. The globose, red fruit is 3 - 5mm in diameter[].

Leaves - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[]. A salty flavour[]. The leaves are chopped and cooked alone or with other vegetables such as Bidens pilosa or Cleome gynandra and the served with a staple such as ugali or rice[].

Medicinal

This species is much used in traditional medicine in Africa[].

The roots are boiled and the decoction used to treat coughs and sores in the mouth[].
The root decoction is applied externally to relieve backache and to wash polio patients[].

An infusion of the leaves and roots is drunk to induce vomiting in the case of tapeworm infection[].

The leaves are used in the treatment of constipation and stomach-ache[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant can be used as a hedge[].

Other Uses

The branches are used for fencing[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings[].

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