Photo by: Shirley Denton (Curry Hammock State Park)
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Christmasberry

Synonym(s):

Genus species:

Lycium carolinianum

Family:

Solanaceae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

6-8 ft tall by 3-5 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

purple

Fruit Color:

red

Phenology:

Evergreen unless drought-stressed. Blooms Fall into winter. Fruits in winter.

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Showy Fruits, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Specimen plant, hedge plant

Considerations:

Toxic to livestock. Green fruits toxic to humans.

Availability:

Native Nurseries, Seed

Propagation:

Light:

Full Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Not wet but not extremely dry

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

High. Can tolerate significant and ongoing amounts of salt.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

8A,8B,9A,9B,10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Butterflies, Hummingbirds, Birds

Nectar plant for great southern white ( Ascia monuste ), gulf fritillary ( Agraulis vanillae ) and other butterflies as well as sphinx moths.



  •  Fruits are eaten by birds (Florida Wildflower Foundation)


  • Attracts hummingbirds (Hammer)


Native Habitats:

Salt marsh, salt flats.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

Fruit is said to be edible (ONLY IF RIPE) (reported by Plants for the Future)

General Comments:

Succulent foliage.



This plant is in the tomato family.  FNPS cannot vouch that the fruit is edible.