BRIEF DESCRIPTION A deciduous shrub reaching 1-2 m in height, branches recurved or pendent, usually provided with a few straight spines, and leaves bright green from 1-14 cm long. USES The young shoots and leaves are used in oriental cooking as flavouring and vegetable. Fresh or dried fruit are also used as flavouring. Various parts of the plant have medicinal properties. The plant spread rapidly and provides good ground cover. It is also used as an ornamental and hedge plant. GROWING PERIOD Perennial. Harvest of young shoots may start about two months after planting and be continued at 2-week intervals, but it is better to wait about one year. COMMON NAMES Chinese boxthorn, Chinese matrimony vine, Chinese wolfberry, Gow-kee, Lyciet, Daun koki, Kaukichai, Kaukichoy, Kei-chi. FURTHER INF Scientific synonym: L. rhombifolium. Chinese boxthorn is native of China and Japan. In the tropics it can be grown from sea-level up to 2000 m in altitude. At low altitudes it flowers profusely but in the highlands it does not flower. |
Siemonsma J 1993 pp 197-199 [USE, RAIN, TEMP, LIG, FER, TEXT, DEP, PH]
Roecklein J 1987 pp 490 [USE, TEXT, DRA]
Duke J 1979 pp 20 [PH, RAIN, TEMP] |