*Lycium ferocissimum Miers, Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. ser. 2, 14: 187 (1854)

T: `C.B.S.—v.s. in herb Hook. Uitenhag (Harvey, n. 105)'; holo: K n.v., photo ADW.

L. macrocalyx Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 590 (1929).

T: Near Jericho, Qld, Mar. 1910, Domin 8317; lecto: PR, fide L. Haegi, Austral. J. Bot. 24: 674 (1976); syn: PR.

[L. europaeum auct. non L.; F.M. Bailey, Queensland Fl. 4: 1094 (1901)]

An intricately branched shrub to 4 m with long, rigid branches; lateral branches leafy, ending in a stout spine.

Leaves usually clustered, obovate to elliptic, to 40 mm long, slightly fleshy when fresh, green.

Pedicels 5–16 mm long. Calyx more or less tubular, 4–7 mm long. Corolla 10–12 mm long, pale lilac or white towards limb, the lobes lilac in centre; limb strongly reflexed. Stamens 5, exserted for 2–4 mm. Pistil c. 10 mm long. Fruiting calyx split irregularly once or twice.

Berry globose to broadly ovoid, 5–10 mm diam., dull orange-red, with 35–70 seeds. Seeds 2.5 mm long, 1.5 mm wide, dull yellow.

Native to southern coastal region of South Africa.

Introduced to Australia as a hedge plant in late 19th century, now naturalised in all States and widespread in south-eastern Australia; also on Lord Howe Is.

A common weed in urban waste ground and agricultural and pastoral areas. In drier regions usually occurs near permanent or seasonal water supplies.