Chinese boxthorn (Lycium chinense)
Common Names
Chinese boxthorn, Chinese wolfberry, Chinese matrimony vine (En); lyciet de Chine (Fr); palo de gallina (Sp); 枸杞, 葉用枸杞(Cn)
Plant Distribution
East, Southeast, and South Asia
Edible Parts
Young leaves are used fresh in salad, stir-fried with other food items, or in soup; berries used fresh or cooked with other food items, or dried to make into a beverage.
Health values
Beta-carotene: extremely high in leaves; vitamin E: high in leaves; riboflavin: low in fruit; folic acid: medium in leaves; ascorbic acid: medium in leaves; calcium: medium
in leaves and fruit; iron: high in leaves, medium in fruit; protein: 3.0-6.0% in leaves. The berry improves eyesight and enhances immune system function, and is a rich source of zeaxanthin.
Read more: Chinese boxthorn, in Discovering Indigenous Treasures: Promising Indigenous Vegetables from Around the World. 2009. AVRDC – The World Vegetable Center.