Berlandier's Wolfberry
Lycium berlandieri
- Native to:
- Mexico, United States
Patrick Alexander (www.flickr.com) from Las Cruces, NM
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Lycium
- Species:
- Lycium berlandieri
- USDA Symbol:
- LYBE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 300 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- lavender, purple
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.5 - 8.0 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
Pre-treatment: Cold stratification in moist sand at 5°C may be beneficial, but specific requirements for Lycium berlandieri are not given. Germination tests on untreated and stratified seed of this species would be beneficial.
Establishment: Lycium berlandieri is a species typical of the Chihuahuan and Sonoran desert scrub ecosystems found in Northern Mexico and in the United States from Arizona to Texas. It is drought tolerant, losing its leaves and becoming dormant under water stress. It is a particularly important food and shelter source for Gambel’s quail and scaled quail.
Source: npn.rngr.net