Much-branched shrub to 2 m (6 ft) tall. Stems arching, glabrous or pubescent, with a few stout spines. Leaves mostly fascicled; blade usually spatulate or oblanceolate, 1-4 cm (0.4-1.6 in) long and 0.5-1.5 cm (0.2-0.6 in) wide, entire, glabrous. Flowers solitary or in pairs, greenish-white or purplish, funnelform, 1.5-2 cm (0.6-0.8 in) long, 5-lobed. Fruits red when ripe, drying black, 0.8-1.2 cm (0.3-0.5 in) in diameter.
Distribution: Oklahoma panhandle west to Utah and California and south to Mexico.
Habitat: Gravelly hillsides, arroyos.
NWI status: none
Comment: Lycium refers to the ancient country of Lycia in Asia Minor; pallidum refers to the pale flowers and leaves.
Distribution in Oklahoma: 
BACK
NEXT
RETURN TO INDEX
Last update: 9/14/99
Go to Oklahoma Biological Survey Home Page
Disclaimer