Lycium

Lycium 

(Russian, dereza ), a genus of deciduous or evergreen, usually thorny, shrubs of the family Solanaceae. The leaves.are alternate or in fascicles, simple, and entire. The flowers are monoecious, axillary, and gathered in clusters or single. The fruit is a red, sometimes black, juicy berry. There are about 100 species, growing in the temperate and subtropical regions of both hemispheres (mainly South America). In the USSR there are five species, found in deserts, semideserts, and steppes in the southeastern European USSR, in the Caucasus, and in Middle Asia. The most common are L. ruthenicum, L. turcomanicum, and L. dasystemum. The species L. barbarum and L. halimifolium are cultivated as hedges and for ornamental purposes. Many species are drought resistant and grow in poor soil, and some are salt resistant. The Russian peashrub, Caragana frutex of the legume family is also called dereza.