Wolfberry is one of the English common names given to fruit produced by two very closely related species: Lycium barbarum and Lycium chinense. Quite notably, these two species also share a common plant name in Pinyin (the most common variant of standard Mandarin Chinese) and that word is gouqi or goji, the name by which the berry is commonly marketed in the United States.

Wolfberry species are deciduous woody perennial plants growing to between 3 feet and 9 feet in height. L. chinense, grown in the south of China, can be shorter, while L. barbarum, grown in the north of China is generally taller.

The flower is five-petaled, fragrant, producing the edible fruit (berry) that is bright orange-red, ellipsoid shape, less than 1 inch in length. The number of seeds in each berry varies widely based on cultivar and fruit size, containing anywhere between 10-60 tiny yellow seeds that are compressed with a curved embryo. The berries ripen from August to October in the Northern hemisphere.

Can be grown as a hedge, can withstand maritime exposure. Its extensive root system lend to its use in stabilizing sandy, banked soil.

Other Uses: May be soaked overnight and blended with additional water to avail a juice. As a food, dried wolfberries are traditionally cooked with or before being added to rice and multi-ingredient dishes.

Nutrients and Active Compounds: Minerals, Trace minerals, Amino acids, Vitamins, polysaccharides, Monosaccharides, Unsaturated fatty acids, Essential fatty acids,Linoleic acid and Alpha-linolenic acid, Phytosterols including beta-sitosterol, Carotenoids including beta-carotene and zeaxanthin, Lutein, Lycopene and Cryptoxanthin; and Antioxidant phenols, Glycoconjugates.

Botanical Name: lycium chinensis
aka: Goji, Wolfberry, Chinese wolfberry, Red medlar, Bocksdorn, Cambronera, Duke of argyll’s tea tree, Matrimony vine
Origin: China
Notes: KCS Kosher Certified. Non-irradiated
Specifications are subject to change without notice.
* FDA Disclaimer

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