African Boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) (Nox)

Invasiveness Assessment | Impact Assessment | Potential Distribution | Present Distribution

Scientific name: Lycium ferocissimum Miers
Photo: African Boxthorn plant
African Boxthorn plant

Common Name:
Boxthorn

Status:
Regionally Controlled weed in the Mallee, North Central, Wimmera, Glenelg-Hopkins, Corangamite, Port Phillip & Westernport (East and West), Goulburn Broken, North East, West Gippsland and East Gippsland CMAs.

Habitat:
Subhumid and semi-arid subtropical regions where it occurs on drier soils (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It grows on all soil types, but establishes best on lighter soils, particularly along dry creek beds (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It has been used as a hedge plant from where it has spread into pastures, neglected areas, and along roadsides, railway reserves and waterways (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Boxthorn can invade dry coastal vegetation, lowland grassland and grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and rock outcrop vegetation (Carr et al 1992)

Related Links

Weeds Information Note on Boxthorn - on the DPI website.

Information on African Boxthorn on the NSW North West Weeds County Council website (external link)

Information on African Boxthorn on the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment's website (external link)

Weed Identification Note for African Boxthorn - on the Weeds Australia website (external link). Information is provided on the generalised current distribution in Australia as well as other information such as origin, distinguishing features, dispersal etc.

Weed Management Guide for African Boxthorn (external link) is available for download on the Weeds CRC website.
Photo: African Boxthorn fruit
African Boxthorn fruit

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Scientific name:	Lycium ferocissimum Miers	African Boxthorn plant
Common Name:	Boxthorn
Status:	Regionally Controlled weed in the Mallee, North Central, Wimmera, Glenelg-Hopkins, Corangamite, Port Phillip & Westernport (East and West), Goulburn Broken, North East, West Gippsland and East Gippsland CMAs.
Habitat:	Subhumid and semi-arid subtropical regions where it occurs on drier soils (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It grows on all soil types, but establishes best on lighter soils, particularly along dry creek beds (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). It has been used as a hedge plant from where it has spread into pastures, neglected areas, and along roadsides, railway reserves and waterways (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Boxthorn can invade dry coastal vegetation, lowland grassland and grassy woodland, riparian vegetation and rock outcrop vegetation (Carr et al 1992)