Leaves linear (thin) or oblanceolate (not quite as thin, and wider on outer half) and fleshy-subterete (almost round, like a cylinder) in cross section. Leaves are glabrous (smooth) and bright green to yellowish-green or greyish-green. Leaves entire, ~0.3-1 cm long, almost sessile (attaching directly to stem with little or no petiole or leaf stem). They occur in clusters or whorls, arranged alternately along the stems. Stems are beige-grey, rigid, densely and intricately branched, and have very thorny tips partly concealed by the leaves. There are 1-2 flowers on short pedicels (0.1- 0.5 cm long) emerging from leaf axils. Flowers are small (~0.2-0.3 cm across and long), white or creamy with purple or lavendar stripes in the throat of the flower. Corollas divided into 4 symmetrical ovate or triangular lobes, which are often slightly curled upwards at the tips. There are 4 stamens that are exserted beyond the corolla. Blooms from March to July. The fruit is glabrous and round or ovate like a cherry, containing 2 small seeds (~0.2- 0.3 cm long). The plant itself is a shrub usually 1-2 m tall. Favors dry slopes and bluffs near the coast. This plant is endangered due to its rarity, confinement to coastal sage scrub, and the pressures of development.
Lycium californicum (Solanaceae): California box thorn or desert box thorn or box thorn
The development of this key was partially funded through the Geoscience Diversity Enhancement Program (Award #0703798) and through a course of re-assigned time provided by the CSULB Scholarly and Creative Activities Committee. Thanks also to the students in sections of biogeography, introductory physical geography, GDEP, and LSAMP for "test-driving" various editions of this key.