Scientific Name
Lycium spp.
Common Name
Matrimony vine, box thorn, false jessamine, wolfberry

TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

Characteristics

Family
Solanaceae
Plant Description
Deciduous or evergreen shrubs with spiny stems; leaves alternate, simple, smooth margined; flowers small, 5-parted, funnel-shaped or bell-shaped, white, lilac, purple; fruit a berry, red to purple or yellow.
Origin
Europe.
Distribution
Coastal Plain.
Where Found
Weedy in disturbed areas, naturalized after cultivation; landscape as an ornamental woody shrub.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
Leaves.
Symptoms
Headache, abdominal pain, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, circulatory and respiratory depression, loss of sensation.
Edibility
EDIBLE PARTS: Berries edible raw, cooked, or dried.
Toxic Principle
Atropine, hyoscyamine, scopolamine.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN.

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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