Weeds - Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority

Regionally Controlled Weed
Boxthorn
Description: An erect spiny shrub to 5 m tall with spreading
branches.
flowers: White with some purple markings, appearing mainly
in Summer but also at other times. 1 cm in diameter and
containing of 5 petals. Occurring singly or in pairs. Appears
from June to October.
leaves: Oval, glossy green and appearing in clusters.
3.5 cm long and fleshy when plant is active and shed when
the conditions are unfavourable.
stems: Erect, woody, much branched, bearing spines of up to
15 cm along and at the end of branches.
fruit: Drooping on short stems and 1 cm in diameter. Green
to red when mature. Contains many small seeds.
Note: Forms dense, impenetrable thickets, restricting stock
and human access to water, tracks and fences etc. Spikes can
cause injury and puncture car tyres. Harbours pest animals.
similar Native species: Could be confused with the
Australian Boxthorn, Lycium australe, though flower differs
slightly, and thorns are positioned between nodes, rather than
on nodes, as L. ferocissimum.
20
Lycium ferocissimum
(African Boxthorn)
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