Family: Solanaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Lycium chinense (Chinese desert-thorn) is a thorny, deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub native to China, Mongolia, and other parts of temperate East Asia. It typically grows in dry to moderately arid environments and is well adapted to a range of conditions, including drought and poor soils. The plant produces slender branches with small leaves and sharp spines, along with bright red-orange berries. These fruits are closely related to the “goji berry” and have been used in traditional Asian medicine and cuisine for centuries. The shrub is also sometimes planted as a living hedge or ornamental barrier due to its dense, thorny growth.

Risks & Threats
Although Lycium chinense is currently not known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it does possess traits that are cause for concern, and which could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. Its hardy nature, ability to thrive in disturbed or dry habitats, and production of bird-dispersed fruits increase its potential to spread beyond intended planting sites. Once established, it can form dense thickets that may compete with and displace native vegetation, particularly in open or degraded areas. Given these characteristics, caution is warranted when considering its use in Hawaii. When available, selecting low-risk or native alternatives is strongly recommended to help protect island ecosystems and prevent future invasiveness.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability (USDA zones 4b–9b)
  
• Native or naturalized in tropical/subtropical regions
  
• History of repeated introductions and naturalization beyond native range (e.g., Britain, eastern US)
  
• Congeneric weed (e.g., Lycium ferocissimum is a serious weed in Australia)
  
• Produces spines/thorns (0.5–2 cm)
  
• Host for recognized pests/pathogens (e.g., Mediterranean fruit fly)
  
• Tolerates wide range of soil conditions (sand, loam, clay; acid to alkaline)
  
• Produces viable seed
  
• Pollinated by generalist bees (no specialist pollinator required)
  
• Intentionally dispersed by people (edible fruit/leaves)
  
• Bird-dispersed propagules
  
• Seeds survive gut passage
  
• Prolific seed production (10–60 seeds per berry)
  
• Benefits from mutilation/pruning (enhances yield)

Low Risk Traits:

• No evidence of being a garden, agricultural, or environmental weed
  
• Not allelopathic, parasitic, or toxic to animals/humans
  
• Does not create fire hazard (deciduous shrub, wet habitats)
  
• Not shade tolerant (requires full sun)
  
• No evidence of forming dense thickets (described as rambling)
  
• No evidence of vegetative fragmentation
  
• No evidence of propagules dispersing unintentionally, as produce contaminant, by wind, water, or externally on animals
  
• Seed bank persistence likely short (viability high only from fresh fruit)