Arabian Boxthorn

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Boxthorn
• Desert-thorn
• African Honeythorn
• Arabian boxthorn
• Arabian desert-thorn
• White Honeythorn

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Lycium tenuiramosum
• Lycium ellenbeckii
• Lycium merkeri
• Lycium erythraeum
• Lycium javellense
• Lycium jaegeri
• Lycium shawii var. leptophyllum
• Lycium withaniifolium
• Lycium ovinum
• Lycium persicum
• Lycium albiflorum
• Lycium cufodontii
• Lycium abeliiflorum
• Lycium mediterraneum var. cinereum
• Lycium mediterraneum var. leptophyllum
• Lycium persicum subvar. leptophyllum
• Lycium persicum var. leptophyllum
• Lycium mediterraneum subsp. longiflorum
• Lycium persicum var. cinereum
• Lycium mediterraneum var. cinnamomeum
• Lycium mediterraneum var. leucocladum
• Lycium somalense

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is classified under the genus Lycium.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across the Mediterranean region. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing throughout Greece. Its presence extends to the Italian peninsula, specifically including the island of Sicilia. Furthermore, the species is documented in the Southeastern European territory of Kriti. Finally, its range reaches into Northern Africa, where it is located in Algeria.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Lycium shawii is defined by its adaptability to diverse topographical gradients, typically inhabiting arid and semi-arid landscapes where it thrives within specific altitudinal constraints. This species is strategically distributed across a broad vertical range, ranging from low-lying areas at an elevation of 155 m AMSL to higher elevations reaching a maximum of 915 m AMSL. Within this elevational spectrum, the plant occupies various ecological niches, often favoring rocky or sandy substrates that facilitate drainage, which is critical for its survival in Mediterranean-type climates or desert scrub environments. Its ability to colonize such a wide altitudinal span suggests a high degree of physiological tolerance to fluctuating temperature regimes and varying levels of moisture availability characteristic of different mountain and lowland zones.

Elevational range max:

915 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

155 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Lycium shawii is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its long-term presence within its ecological niche. Structurally, the plant is classified as a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting the traits of a phanerophyte in its overall growth habit, which indicates that its perennating buds are located well above the ground level. This growth strategy allows the species to maintain a stable biological presence across multiple seasons, utilizing its robust structure to survive varying environmental conditions.

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Lycium shawii is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub, functioning as a self-supporting plant that does not require external structures for climbing. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variability in height, ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 4.5 meters, with an average plant height of approximately 2.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4.5 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Lycium shawii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO, a common strategy among many woody shrubs in arid environments. Additionally, this species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, lacking the symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria typically required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into bioavailable forms.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Lycium shawii is characterized by a specific seasonal flowering window and the production of minute seeds. The flowering period typically begins in January and concludes in April, though the timing can be variable depending on environmental conditions. The plant produces small seeds with a highly consistent mass; the mean seed mass is recorded at 0.000835 g, with individual seed weights ranging from a minimum of 0.00073 g to a maximum of 0.00094 g.

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Apr

Seed mass max:

0.00094 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000835 g

Seed mass min:

0.00073 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Lycium shawii has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Carotenoids, Chlorophylls, Fatty acids, Linoleic.

Flavonoids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Metabolites

Carotenoids

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

Chlorophylls

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

Fatty acids

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Linoleic

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

Phytosterols

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

QUINOLINE

1. Metabolites

Saponins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

fructose

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

glucose

1. Turkish journal of chemistry

Activities

Lycium shawii has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antimalarial.

Antibacterial

1. Metabolites

Antimalarial

1. Metabolites

Medicinal Uses

Lycium shawii has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, malaria, oxidative stress, vitiligo.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations