European boxthorn
Lycium europaeum
- Layer 3 · Shrubs
- Edible companion
Status by region
No restrictions recorded in the lists we checked.
Checked against the European Union list (Regulation 1143/2014) · Portugal's national invasive species list (Decreto-Lei 92/2019).
Information based on the cited sources, not legal advice — always confirm your local rules.
About
Spiny Mediterranean shrub, related to goji, suitable for defensive living hedges in a food forest. Produces small edible fruits and the flowering attracts pollinators. Resists drought, heat, and poor, calcareous soils well.
It is harvested now — September is one of the harvest months.
See which trees European boxthorn grows well with
These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.
No account needed.
Needs
- Water: Low
- Light: Full sun
- Size: Spiny shrub up to 4 m
- Mature diameter: 3 m
- Soils: Sandy, Limestone, Clay
- Climates: Hot, dry Mediterranean
Calendar
- January
- February — Planting
- March — Planting
- April
- May
- June
- July
- August — Harvest
- September — Harvest
- October — Harvest — Planting
- November — Planting
- December
- Harvest
- Planting
Medicinal use: The berries are edible and rich in antioxidants, with traditional use as a tonic, and the leaves can be consumed in infusions.
Where to buy
Central trees worth considering
May work well together — same soil and climate, complementary layers. We have not seen this combination in a generated guild yet.
May grow well with
Suggestions worked out from growing conditions — same soil and climate, complementary layers and functions. These are not observed guilds; treat them as a starting point to try on your own land.
Etruscan honeysuckleLonicera etruscasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Common hawthornCrataegus monogynasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
TerebinthPistacia terebinthussame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Portuguese oakQuercus fagineasame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Mediterranean cypressCupressus sempervirenssame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Maritime pinePinus pinastersame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure · same water needs
Field elmUlmus minorsame climate · same soil · different layers · complementary functions · same exposure
Related plants
Other species in the same layer or with the same function.
It is harvested now — September is one of the harvest months.
See which trees European boxthorn grows well with
These trees share this species' soil and climate — the pairing is inferred from conditions, not from a guild we have already seen.
No account needed.
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