Lycium carolinianum
Christmasberry
Solanaceae
Plant Specifics
Form:
shrub
Size:
6-8 ft tall by 3-5 ft wide
Life Span:
long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
purple
Fruit Color:
red
Phenology:
Evergreen unless drought-stressed. Blooms Fall into winter. Fruits in winter.
Noted For:
Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Specimen plant, hedge plant
Considerations:
Toxic to livestock. Green fruits toxic to humans.
Light:
Full Sun
Moisture Tolerance:
Usually moist, occasional inundation ---- to ---- Not wet but not extremely dry
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand, Loam, Lime Rock
Suitable to Grow In:
8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11
Ecology
Wildlife:
Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Birds
Nectar plant for great southern white ( Ascia monuste ), gulf fritillary ( Agraulis vanillae ) and other butterflies as well as sphinx moths.
- Fruits are eaten by birds (Florida Wildflower Foundation)
- Attracts hummingbirds (Hammer)
Native Habitats:
Salt marsh, salt flats.
