Lycium barbarum
Matrimony vine, goji berry
no rights reserved, uploaded by Lottery Discountz · CC0
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Lycium barbarum (Matrimony vine) is a non-native California shrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by large petioled leaves and distinctive flower coloration.
Matrimony vine is a naturalized shrub found in southern Sierra Nevada, Great Valley, southern California Coast, and Modesto Plains in disturbed areas and fields at elevations below 2,100 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces white flowers with dark purple veins and lavender to violet lobes, approximately 8 to 13 millimeters long. Growing up to 3 meters tall with curved to arched branches, the shrub has no thorns or only short ones. Its leaves are petioled, 2 to 6 centimeters long, ranging from lanceolate to oblong or oblanceolate in shape. The fruit is a bright red berry approximately 1 centimeter long, containing 4 to 20 seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 4 sympatric species; key features are large petioled leaves and distinctive flower coloration
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas, fields, escaped from cultivation
Elevation: < 2100 m
Outside California: to eastern North America, native to Asia (China), introduced elsewhere in Eurasia, New Zealand, Australia
Bloom period
Lycium barbarum blooms Apr-Aug.
How to tell it apart
vs Prunus: Lycium has small tubular nightshade flowers; Prunus has 5-petaled rose-family flowers with many stamens.; vs Salvia: Lycium has thorny branches; Salvia has square stems and 2-lipped mint-family flowers without thorns.; vs Ceanothus: Lycium has thorns and tubular flowers; Ceanothus has tiny clustered flowers and no thorns.; vs Tetradymia: Lycium has tubular nightshade flowers; Tetradymia has yellow daisy-like composite flowers.; vs Atriplex: Lycium has tubular flowers and thorns; Atriplex has tiny wind-pollinated flowers without petals.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lycium barbarum native to California?
No. Lycium barbarum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Lycium barbarum bloom?
Lycium barbarum blooms Apr-Aug.
What plant family does Lycium barbarum belong to?
Lycium barbarum is in the Solanaceae family, genus Lycium.
What habitat does Lycium barbarum grow in?
Lycium barbarum grows in Disturbed areas, fields, escaped from cultivation.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.