Invasiveness Assessment - African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum) in Victoria (Nox)
Back | Table | Feedback
Plant invasiveness is determined by evaluating a plant’s biological and ecological characteristics against criteria that encompass establishment requirements, growth rate and competitive ability, methods of reproduction, and dispersal mechanisms.
| Each characteristic, or criterion, is assessed against a list of intensity ratings. Depending upon information found, a rating of Low, Medium Low, Medium High or High is assigned to that criterion. Where no data is available to answer a criterion, a rating of medium (M) is applied. A description of the invasiveness criteria and intensity ratings used in this process can be viewed here. |
The following table provides information on the invasiveness of African boxthorn.
A more detailed description of the methodology of the Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method can be viewed below:
Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (PDF - 630 KB)
Victorian Weed Risk Assessment (WRA) method (DOC - 1026 KB)
To view the information PDF requires the use of a PDF reader. This can be installed for free from the Adobe website (external link).
Common Name: African boxthorn
Scientific name: Lycium ferocissimum
| Question | Comments | Reference | Rating |
| Establishment | |||
| Germination requirements? | Seeds germinate at any time of the year. | H | |
| Establishment requirements? | Occurs in open areas. | P & C (2001) | ML |
| How much disturbance is required? | Establishes in pastures. Listed as a ‘problematic weed of agricultural situations’. | P & C (2001) Scott & Delfosse (1992) | MH |
| Growth/Competitive | |||
| Life form? | Large shrub. | L | |
| Allelopathic properties? | No allelopathic properties described. |  | L |
| Tolerates herb pressure? | Seldom grazed by stock because of the sharp spines. | P & C (2001) | MH |
| Normal growth rate? | Early root growth is rapid ensuring young plants are competitive. | P & C (2001) | H |
| Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? | Tolerant of drought and frost (refer to Australian Distribution). Some water logging (occurs in creek beds and along streams and rivers). | P & C (2001) | MH |
| Reproduction | |||
| Reproductive system | Reproducing by seed. | P & C (2001) | ML |
| Number of propagules produced? | Fruit production has ranged between 0 & 535. Seeds numerous. ˜ 500 fruit x 10 seeds per fruit = 5,000 seeds. | Erkelenz & Carter (1994) | H |
| Propagule longevity? | ? | | M |
| Reproductive period? | Large shrub. Produces dense thickets. | P & C (2001) | H |
| Time to reproductive maturity? | Plants do not flower until at least 2 years old. | P & C (2001) | MH |
| Dispersal | |||
| Number of mechanisms? | The fruit is commonly eaten by birds and foxes and the seeds are viable when excreted. | P & C (2001) | H |
| How far do they disperse? | Above animals could disperse seeds > 1 km as quite mobile. | | H |
Feedback
Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment?
If so, we would value your contribution. Click on the link to go to the feedback form.
© State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) 1996 - .
This work, Victorian Resources Online, is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 licence. You are free to re-use the work under that licence, on the condition that you credit the State of Victoria (Agriculture Victoria) as author, indicate if changes were made and comply with the other licence terms.
The licence does not apply to ‘branding’ or some ‘images or photographs’ that may be owned by third parties. We ask you to seek prior approval to use images using the VRO feedback form. Access to higher quality images can also be provided on request.
This page was last updated on .