Dense spine-tipped branches and white or pale purplish tinged bell-shaped flowers. The 1/8 in. calyx is 2 to 4-toothed. This species differs from most plants in this family by having only 4 corolla lobes and 4 stamens. Dana Point Headlands, Dana Point, CA. 2-11-11. © Joan Avise.

California Boxthorn

Lycium californicum

A 3 to 6 ft. tall entangled shrub, locally common on ocean bluffs, mesas, and borders of estuaries in coastal bluff scrub along the coast from Bolsa Chica and Newport Beach south (Roberts). It is included on the California Native Plant Society watch list (List 4.2) of species with restricted distribution within California. Flowering: Feb.- July.

There are some diploid monoecious populations in which all plants have both male-sterile (female) and bisexual flowers and other populations that are tetraploid and gynodioecious (either all female or all bisexual flowers on any one plant) Flowers on female plants tend to be smaller than those on bisexual plants. [J. Miller; Evolution, 2001]

Back to Solanaceae of Orange County, California
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San Clemente State Park, 3-5-16. © Ron Vanderhoff

The fruit is an edible red berry with two seeds.  Native Americans used both fresh and dried berries in their diet. Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 4-25-10. © Joan Avise.

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 3-21-09. © Joan Avise.

Leaves are fleshy, cylindrical, 1/8 - 3/8 in. with short or no stems.  Corona del Mar State Beach, Newport Beach, CA. 2-15-09. © Joan Avise.

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2-05-09. © Joan Avise.

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2-05-09. © Joan Avise.

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 2-05-09. © Joan Avise.

Dana Point Headlands, Dana Point, CA. 2-11-00. © Joan Avise.

Crystal Cove State Park, Laguna Beach, CA. 4-25-10. © Joan Avise.