| The genus Lycium
includes from 75–90 species most often found in washes of seasonally dry climates
of
North America (~20 spp.), Africa (~25 spp.), Eurasia (~10 spp.) and South
America (~30 spp.). Species of Lycium can be generally recognized by the tangled spiny branches with relatively short linear
alternate leaves in fascicles, but the differences among species is tentative because
the taxonomic features as they compare to type specimens are not clear.
Species in other genera with similar vegetative features include Prunus fasciculata and Peraphyllum ramosissimum .
Taxonomic differences are
often based on differences in the length of the calyx, or calyx lobes, but
it should be recognized that the calyx often enlarges in fruit. Lycium cooperi
is recognized by the fruit appearing bilobed to constricted near apex;
however, fruits
do not always develop in many species and flowering, which usually occurs
after rain, can be ephemeral. The relative length of
the corolla as it is seen exserted from the calyx appears to have taxonomic
value, but is generally not employed; Lycium andersonii,
for example, may be identified by floral features of the relatively
long exserted curved floral tube in contrast to a short calyx. Other differences are seen in leaf
succulence and pubescence, the latter seems to be a relatively minor
feature for the recognition of L. fremontii.
Species interpretations also vary. For
instance, plants
in the Mojave Desert with llnear-terete leaves may be regarded as a
variety of L. californicum (Kearney & Peebles, Arizona Flora, Univ.
Calif. Press, 1951), or may be referred to L. andersonii
(CalPhotos).
|
 
Lycium andersonii
Sonoran Desert,
Imperial Co., CA
Mar 2005, habit of plant and
close-up in fruit (berry).
The long corolla tube, which is often curved, generally identifies this
species. The fleshy subteretiform leaves may further distinguish this
species from L. torreyi. |
Lycium andersonii
Sonoran Desert,
Gulf Coast Desert,
eastern foothills of
San Pedro Martir, BCN
Mar 1993 |
Lycium cooperi
Kern Co., California City,
Apr 2010 |
|
 
Lycium cooperi
Mojave Desert,
Los Angeles Co., CA
Mar 2004. Recognized by
the revolute petal lobes. |
 
Lycium cooperi
Kern Co., California City,
Apr 2005. The shiny leaves suggest L. pallidum; however,
minute glandular hairs are evident. An Arizona-Sonoran species,
Lycium macrodon, is also similar, differing in the basal constriction
of fruit.
|
Lycium cooperi
Kern Co., CA, Jun 2003.The bilobed dry fruit, which is characteristic
of this species, can bee seen on this specimen. |
|
Lycium cooperi
Inyo Co., CA.
Spjut 15371, June 2003 |
Lycium cooperi
Common in
Oriental Wash, between 1400 and 1500 m elev., Death Valley, NV/CA, May
2003 |
 
Lycium exsertum
Tonto National Forest, North of Globe, AZ. Appearing to grow out
of other shrubs, or in close association with them. Spjut 16247, April
2008
. |
|
 
Lycium fremontii
Roosevelt Dam, AZ,
April 2008. Distinguished by pubescence on calyx and leaves as
evident in above photo.. |
Lycium fremontii
Mohave Co., AZ,
May 1973. Keys in floras usually suggest this to
be pubescent, except as noted by Wiggins, Flora of Baja California.
The plant
shown here appears glabrous.
|
 
Lycium parishii
Northern Vizcaíno Desert
near Catavina, BCN.
Spjut & Marin 11943, Mar 1993. Identified by the corolla tube
to have a
narrow reddish to purplish band near base, where also appearing
constricted; the basally constricted corolla tube is a key character
indicated for this species
by Wiggins, Flora of Baja California. |
|
Lycium pallidum
var. oligospermum
Mojave Desert,
El
Paso Mts, CA
.
|
 
Lycium pallidum
var. oligospermum
Mojave Desert,
Mesquite Mts., NV , Spjut 15239, May 2003.
|
Lycium megacarpum
Northern Vizcaíno Desert, BCN, Mar 1979. Recognized by the short
somewhat
obovate leaves and nearly sessile fruits as described
in Shreeve & Wiggins, Vegetation and Flora of the Sonoran Desert. |
|
Lycium puberlum
var. berberoides
Trans Pecos, TX
Spjut& Marin 15139
May 2003 |
Lycium shockelyi
Esmeralda Co., NV
Spjut 14735, May 2003 |
Lycium torreyi
Terrell/Pecos Co., TX
Spjut & Marin 14433, Oct 2001 |
|
 
Lycium torreyi
Sonoran Desert,
Colorado River just north of Needles along the Arizona side,
Plant is unusual in having an arborescent habit. Referred to L. torreyi
by the ciliate corolla lobes as evident in the above photo. Sample
of stem-bark collected for antitumor screening. Spjut 16252, April 2008. |
 
Lycium torreyi
Sonoran Desert,
Imperial Co., CA
Mar 2005, habit of plant
and close-up of flower. The
large flattened oblanceolate leaves suggest
L. torreyi, as indicated in Munz, A California Flora,
although
L. andersonii var. deserticola
is also recognized to have flattened leaves. |
|
Zhang M., H. Chen, J. Huang, Z. Li,
C. Zhu and S. Zhang. 2005. Effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on
human hepatoma QGY7703 cells: inhibition of proliferation and induction of
apoptosis. Life Sci. 76(18): 2115–2124.
“Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP), extracted from
Lycium barbarum that is a kind of traditional Chinese herb, is found to have
anticancer activity. In this study, the effect of LBP on the proliferation rate,
cell cycle distribution and apoptosis in the human hepatoma QGY7703 cell line
were investigated. The effects of this compound were also tested on the
concentration of calcium in cells. LBP treatment caused inhibition of QGY7703
cell growth with cycle arrest in S phase and apoptosis induction. The amount of
RNA in cells and the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ were increased.
Moreover, the distribution of calcium in cells was changed. Taken together, the
study suggests that the induction of cell cycle arrest and the increase of
intracellular calcium in apoptotic system may participate in the
antiproliferative activity of LBP in QGY7703 cells.”
|
