Lycium andersonii aka Water Jacket

Lycium andersonii is a deciduous shrub in the nightshade family, Solanaceae. Its common names include wolfberry and water jacket. It grows wild in the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico. Its range reaches New Mexico and Chihuahua. This shrub lives in deserts and dry shrubland. It grows on stony hills and mesas, including creosote bush scrub. These sites lie below about 5,900 feet [1,800 metres].

The shrub forms a rounded shape with dense, spiny branches. Most plants stand 3–5 feet [0.9–1.5 metres] tall. Some reach 8 feet [2.4 metres]. The stiff twigs start light brown, then turn gray. Their tips form spines, while short spurs carry the leaves. Shallow, uneven furrows mark the bark. Flat ridges between them break into shreds. The leaves grow alternately and have smooth edges. Each leaf is broadest near its tip or spoon-shaped. Fine hairs cover the blue-green to gray-green leaves. They measure 0.25–1 inch long and fall during drought.

Small flowers appear from late winter into early spring. Each narrow tube ends in five lobes. Flower color ranges from pale purple to almost white. The tubes measure about 0.25–0.375 inch long. Bees pollinate the flowers, and the plant is self-fertile. Fleshy, oval berries hang down from the branches. They turn orange-red as they ripen in spring. Each berry measures about 0.375 inch long and resembles a tiny tomato.

Plants For A Future reports a medium growth rate. It lists sandy, loamy, and clay soils as suitable. The soil should drain well but need not be rich. The shrub accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline ground. It needs a sunny site and does not grow in shade. The same source lists both dry and moist soil as suitable. It also notes wildlife value and use on sunny garden edges. Its hardiness in Britain remains uncertain.

The ripe fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. It can also be dried whole for use in soups. Ground dried fruit can make mush or supplement cereal flour. Eat only fully ripe berries. Plants For A Future reports no known toxicity records for this species. It still urges caution with leaves and unripe fruit. The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases.