European matrimony-vine

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• European matrimony-vine
• European teatree
• boxthorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lycium saevum
• Lycium salicifolium
• Lycium siculum
• Lycium dumosum
• Lycium obliquifolium
• Lycium mediterraneum
• Lycium spina-christi
• Lycium spinosum
• Lycium mediterraneum subsp. breviflorum
• Lycium europaeum var. arabicum
• Lycium mediterraneum var. glabrum
• Lycium barbarum var. brevilobum
• Lycium orientale

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and order Solanales, it is further categorized under the family Solanaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic placement is within the genus Lycium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse presence across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its range extends into the territory of Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it can be found throughout Southwestern Europe, specifically within France and Portugal. Its distribution also reaches the island of Corse in the Southwestern European region. Additionally, the species is documented in the Baleares archipelago.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lycium europaeum is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. This species is typically found in diverse landscapes, including dry bushland, bushed grassland, and riverine bushland, where it often grows in distinct clumps. Additionally, it occupies ruderal sites and can be found scattered throughout tree grasslands. To navigate its environment and resist herbivory, the plant employs defensive mechanisms, as indicated by its possession of active defense traits.

Defense :

yes

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

dry bushland or bushed grassland, riverine bushland (often in clumps), also ruderal or in scattered tree grassland

Life history

The life history of Lycium europaeum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons. Structurally, it exhibits a phanerophyte life form, maintaining its stem system above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte category depending on specific growth habit measurements. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural phenological cycle.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lycium europaeum is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. It is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent plant, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

3 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lycium europaeum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency under specific environmental conditions. The vegetative structure is defined by an alternate leaf arrangement, where the leaves exhibit a distinct spatulate form. These leaves possess specific morphological dimensions to optimize light interception and gas exchange, reaching a maximum leaf length of 7.9 cm and a maximum leaf width of 2.5 cm.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

spatulate

Leaf length max:

7.9 cm

Leaf width max:

2.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lycium europaeum is characterized by a specific flowering period that begins in January and concludes in June. During this cycle, the plant produces distinctive violet flowers. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit classified as a berry, which is characterized by its red color. These berries are indehiscent and typically measure between a minimum width of 0.5 cm and a maximum width of 0.6 cm. Within these fruits, the seeds are produced with a highly consistent mass, maintaining a mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.00176 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

violet

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit colour :

red

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

0.6 cm

Fruit width min:

0.5 cm

Seed mass mean:

0.00176 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Lycium europaeum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Nutrition and cancer
2. International journal of environmental health research

Chemicals

Lycium europaeum has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CATECHIN, Condensed Tannins, ferulic acid.

CATECHIN

1. International journal of environmental health research

Condensed Tannins

1. International journal of environmental health research

ferulic acid

1. International journal of environmental health research

Activities

Lycium europaeum has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antioxidant.

Anticancer

1. International journal of environmental health research

Antioxidant

1. International journal of environmental health research

Medicinal Uses

Lycium europaeum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations