Lycium barbarum
| Goji (Lycium barbarum) | |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Lycium barbarum |
| Common names | Goji, goji berry, wolfberry |
| Genus | Lycium |
| Family | Solanaceae |
| Order | Solanales |
Lycium barbarum is an accepted species in the nightshade family (Solanaceae), with an exact accepted match in GBIF. Its accepted native range includes parts of northern and central China, Inner Mongolia, Qinghai, and Xinjiang; it is also recorded as introduced in many other regions.[1]
Description[edit | edit source]
This deciduous shrub is reported to reach about 2.5 m, with berries around 2 cm in diameter. The species has a substantial synonym history, so nursery labels and older references should be checked against the accepted name before material is compared.[2][1]
Cultivation[edit | edit source]
Soil and water[edit | edit source]
Begin with well-drained soil and avoid persistently wet planting sites. A practical cultivation account also reports that the plant tolerates pruning and can sucker, features that make drainage and control of spreading growth important in a permanent bed.[3]
Sun and humidity[edit | edit source]
Give the shrub a sunny position with good air movement around the foliage.[3]
Seasonal changes[edit | edit source]
The native range includes northern and central Chinese regions. In cultivation, flowering is reported from June through August and seed ripening from August through October, so irrigation and harvest planning should follow the local warm-season schedule rather than a fixed calendar outside comparable climates.[1][3]
Propagation[edit | edit source]
Reported methods include seed, half-ripe cuttings, mature-wood cuttings, sucker division, and layering. These methods are practical options rather than a comparative ranking: the account does not provide a controlled comparison of rooting or establishment rates.[3]
Flowering, fruiting, and harvest[edit | edit source]
The flowers are described as hermaphroditic and bee-pollinated, with self-fertility reported. Treat self-fertility as a qualified horticultural report, not a guarantee for every accession or site. Flowering is reported in June–August, with seed ripening in August–October.[3]
A 2025 microsatellite study of cultivated goji plants in Central Italy examined material identified as L. barbarum alongside L. chinense and accessions of known origin. The study concerns genetic identity and accession discrimination; it does not establish universal fruiting, yield, or quality differences between the species.[4]
Fruit and uses[edit | edit source]
The fruit is described as a berry, with individual berries reported at around 2 cm in diameter.[2]