Lycium australe
Species of plant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Lycium australe, the Australian boxthorn, is a native Australian plant with large sharp woody spines, small leaves and very small berries. It is closely related to Lycium ferocissimum (African boxthorn), which is listed as an invasive weed in Australia,[3] New Zealand and Cyprus.[4]
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| Lycium australe | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Lycium |
| Species: | L. australe |
| Binomial name | |
| Lycium australe | |
It is possible to differentiate between these two species using the following features:[3]
| L. ferocissimum | L. australe | |
|---|---|---|
| Leaf length (mm) | 6 - 40 | 3 - 25 |
| Leaf width (mm) | 2 - 20 | 1.5 - 3 |
| Shape of berries | Round | Ovoid |
| Width of berries (mm) | 5 - 10 | 2 - 5 |
| Seeds per berry | 30 - 70 | 5 - 20 |
Distribution
Lycium australe is endemic to the mainland of Australia, and is found in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Western Australia.[5]
Habitat
This plant grows in arid and semi-arid areas, in subsaline soils at the edges of claypans and salt lakes.[5]
