My Garden

Mystery Shrub

Last post 22-11-2009 10:06 AM by Silver surfer. 7 replies.

• 28/10/2009 08:13 PM
  Sarah Location: Somerset Joined on: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Reply | Contact This is a shrub which has been found in 2 places, both are in an otherwise native hedge.  One example is in Rutland and the other is in Dorset.  It has arching stems and the leaves are alternate.  It also has rather large spines.  This already has quite a few of us stumped and we would all be really grateful if anyone has any ideas please!  Many thanks Sarah

• 28/10/2009 08:15 PM	In reply to
  Sarah Location: Somerset Joined on: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Reply | Contact Misc 227_1.JPG This should work now!

• 28/10/2009 08:27 PM	In reply to
  BB Location: Hereford Joined on: 12 May 2009 Posts: 573	Reply | Contact Can anyone else see these photo's because I can't? Instructions of how to post a photo are here:- http://mygarden.rhs.org.uk/forums/t/18506.aspx BB

• 28/10/2009 08:32 PM	In reply to
  Sarah Location: Somerset Joined on: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Reply | Contact I think I've sorted the problem now.  Good luck!

• 28/10/2009 10:47 PM

  In reply to

  Silver surfer Location: South Wales. U.K. Joined on: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 393

  Reply | Contact Welcome Sarah. It looks like Lycium. sp. Possibly Lycium barbarum. Common name Duke of Argyll's Tea-tree.   http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ae/Lycium_barbarum_Flower_Closeup_Miguelturra_CampodeCalatrava.jpg&imgrefurl=http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Lycium_barbarum_Flower_Closeup_Miguelturra_CampodeCalatrava.jpg&usg=__E3kdv1nXnRWiSxKHmHOeFaF_kB0=&h=2400&w=3200&sz=1979&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=RUGm-HhefyLl1M:&tbnh=113&tbnw=150&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dlycium%2Bbarbarum%2Bflowers%26hl%3Den%26rls%3Dp,com.microsoft:en-gb:IE-SearchBox%26rlz%3D1I7SUNA_en-GB%26sa%3DG%26um%3D1   http://www.victoriananursery.co.uk/exotic_fruits/goji_berry/ Apparently it is now rather common in UK. it is good by the sea. This link shows it in Derbyshire! http://www.derby.gov.uk/dccwebdev/museum/flora/flora.aspx?SpeciesID=1050

• 01/11/2009 08:22 PM	In reply to
  Sarah Location: Somerset Joined on: 16 Feb 2009 Posts: 4	Reply | Contact Thank you so much - I've just looked it up and it seems to fit the bill perfectly.  I can get some sleep now!

• 22/11/2009 08:38 AM	In reply to
  Jonathan Location: London Joined on: 19 Oct 2008 Posts: 7	Reply | Contact It's also the Goji Berry - same plant. The oval red berries are edible. No idea why it's being marketed as a new wonder food, it's been a garden escape here for years!

• 22/11/2009 10:06 AM	In reply to
  Silver surfer Location: South Wales. U.K. Joined on: 09 Jun 2008 Posts: 393	Reply | Contact I think my 2nd link was rather a good one. It explains that Goji berries have been around in the UK since the 1600's. They are not a "NEW" plant at all.