LycIum ferocissimum
SOLANACEAE
African Boxthorn
Member of the nightshade family, native to South Africa, it was introduced to Australia as a garden ornamental plant in the mid 1800s.
A woody, many branched perennial shrub up to 5m high.
Distinct 1cm woody spines on the trunk & branches.
Smooth oval shaped leaves 10 to 40mm long x 4 to 10mm wide.
White or purple 5 petal flowers with white stamens, appear solitary in leaf axils. Mostly flowering in Summer or throughout the year.
Fruits are shiny, round or egg shaped, orange or red in colour on a drooping stalk .Each containing about 70 dull yellow seeds. This photo was taken at Lady Bay in early July.
Boxthorn displaces native vegetation, forming dense thickets & providing habitat for foxes & rabbits. It is also a host plant for fruit flies.
Spread by birds, it can germinate at any time of the year provided it is moist & warm enough.
It has a deep branched root system that will readily sucker or regenerate from broken pieces.
Persistent long term control measures by mechanically removal, being careful to remove branch & root pieces & burn & follow application of herbicide on any regrowth over many years.