Kaffir Box-thorn (Lycium Afrum)
Present distribution
|  Map showing the present distribution of this weed. | ||||
| Habitat: Native to the Cape Province of South Africa (Haegi 1976) occurring in coastal fynbos (Fernkloof 2007), dry coastal & karroid scrub (Palgrave 1977) on the mainland & offshore islands (Gillham 1963). Cultivated & locally naturalized in the western Mediterranean region (Stearn 1972) in Spain & on the Canary islands (Anthos 2006; Praeger 1924). On the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, where average annual rainfall is around 150mm, it is a component of desert vegetation, found on sandy, stony hills & in lowland areas (Praeger 1924). In Australia it has been recorded in Victoria & Tasmania. In Victoria, inland at Inglewood, the coastal locations of Sorrento & Phillip Island & at an abandoned homestead in the south–west. In Tasmania, at one coastal location in the south-east (Haegi 1976, Walsh & Entwisle 1999, AVH 2006, DSE 2006). | |||||
Potential distribution
Potential distribution produced from CLIMATE modelling refined by applying suitable landuse and vegetation type overlays with CMA boundaries
| Map Overlays Used Land Use: Pasture dryland; pasture irrigated Broad vegetation types Coastal scrubs and grassland; coastal grassy woodland; heathy woodland; heath; box ironbark forest; inland slopes woodland; grassland; plains grassy woodland; herb-rich woodland; rainshadow woodland; mallee; mallee heath; boinka-raak; mallee woodland; wimmera / mallee woodland Colours indicate possibility of Lycium Afrum infesting these areas. In the non-coloured areas the plant is unlikely to establish as the climate, soil or landuse is not presently suitable. | 
|
Impact
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
| Social |  | | |
| 1. Restrict human access? | As a hedge, Lycium afrum, can form a thorny, impenetrable barrier (PFAF 2004) and is capable of growing to a height of around 4 metres (Palgrave 1977). Potential to have high nuisance value where humans and vehicles access with difficulty. | MH | M |
| 2. Reduce tourism? | As a hedge, Lycium afrum can form a thorny, impenetrable barrier (PFAF 2004) and is capable of growing to a height of around 4 metres (Palgrave 1977). It occurs in coastal habitats with the potential to have minor affects on recreational uses in popular tourist locations such as beach environments. | ML | L |
| 3. Injurious to people? | Described as being armed with rigid spines to 4.5 cm (Palgrave 1977). The thorns of Lycium afrum can produce mechanical injury, and are said to be poisonous; injuries from them being slow to heal (BODD 2005). | MH | M |
| 4. Damage to cultural sites? | Could cause a moderate negative visual effect due to the formation of an ‘impenetrable barrier’ (PFAF 2004) and its capability to grow to a height of around 4 metres (Palgrave 1977). | ML | ML |
| Abiotic | | | |
| 5. Impact flow? | A terrestrial species, no impact on water flow. | L | M |
| 6. Impact water quality? | A terrestrial species, no impact on water quality. | L | M |
| 7. Increase soil erosion? | ‘Plants have an extensive root system that can be used to stabilise banks’ (PFAF 2004). Not likely to increase soil erosion. | L | M |
| 8. Reduce biomass? | The similar invasive species L. ferocissimum, (Muyt 2001) is known to form dense thickets up to 3 metres tall (Peter 2000) with the potential to increase vegetative biomass. L. afrum could have a similar impact on biomass, however, no information was found documented. | M | L |
| 9. Change fire regime? | As a species growing in the fire prone vegetation of the South African Cape Peninsula (Fernkloof 2007, Cowling et al 1996), the vegetation types it has the potential to inhabit, such as heathland, are those that are already adapted to more regular fire activity. Therefore, it is unlikely it would alter the fire regime in these habitats, having a small or negligible effect on fire risk. | L | ML |
| Community Habitat | | | |
| 10. Impact on composition (a) high value EVC | L. ferocissimum shades and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring (Muyt 2001). L. afrum may have a comparable impact on indigenous vegetation, as both species possess similar characteristics and habit, and both originate from the Cape Province of South Africa occupying similar habitats (Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976, Peter 2000). However, no information regarding its impact on other vegetation was found documented. | MH | L |
| (b) medium value EVC | L. ferocissimum shades and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring (Muyt 2001). L. afrum may have a comparable impact on indigenous vegetation, as both species possess similar characteristics and habit, and both originate from the Cape Province of South Africa occupying similar habitats (Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976, Peter 2000). However, no information regarding its impact on other vegetation was found documented. | M | L |
| (c) low value EVC | L. ferocissimum shades and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring (Muyt 2001). L. afrum may have a comparable impact on indigenous vegetation, as both species possess similar characteristics and habit, and both originate from the Cape Province of South Africa occupying similar habitats (Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976, Peter 2000). However, no information regarding its impact on other vegetation was found documented. | M | L |
| 11. Impact on structure? | L. ferocissimum shades and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring (Muyt 2001). L. afrum may have a comparable impact on indigenous vegetation, as both species possess similar characteristics and habit, and both originate from the Cape Province of South Africa occupying similar habitats (Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976, Peter 2000). However, no information regarding its impact on other vegetation was found documented. | M | L |
| 12. Effect on threatened flora? | L. ferocissimum shades and crowds out other vegetation preventing any regeneration occurring (Muyt 2001). L. afrum may have a comparable impact on indigenous vegetation, as both species possess similar characteristics and habit, and both originate from the Cape Province of South Africa occupying similar habitats (Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976, Peter 2000). However, no information regarding its impact on other vegetation, or more specifically threatened flora, was found documented. | MH | L |
| Fauna | | | |
| 13. Effect on threatened fauna? | Dense thickets of L. ferocissimum interfere with sea lion breeding and may deny animals access to watering points (Blood 2001, Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). At certain times of year, storm petrels are known to get caught up on the spines of similar invasive species L. ferocissimum on South Channel Fort (Donna Smithyman pers. comm.) causing injury and sometimes death. L. afrum in South Africa is described by Adamson & Salter (1950) as being ‘more spinous than L. ferocissimum’, and as a species similar in habit and habitat preference, may have comparable impacts. Information specific to listed threatened species was not found documented. | MH | L |
| 14. Effect on non-threatened fauna? | Dense thickets of L. ferocissimum interfere with sea lion breeding and may deny animals access to watering points (Blood 2001; Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). L. afrum, as a species similar in habit and habitat preference, may have comparable impacts on fauna. | ML | L |
| 15. Benefits fauna? | In South Africa, L. afrum is used by Crowned cormorants (Microcarbo coranata) as nesting sites (Gillham 1963). Similar invasive species L. ferocissimum, (Muyt 2001) is known to be utilised as a food source and for shelter, by many native bird species in Victoria (Peter 2000). Likely to provide some assistance in shelter and/or food for desirable native species. | MH | MH |
| 16. Injurious to fauna? | In South Africa, Boergoats and bushbucks displayed a reduced bite size when feeding on Lycium afrum, appearing to be a result of the spinescence of the species (Haschick & Kerley 1997). Spines have potential to cause injuries to animals when feeding. At certain times of year, storm petrels are known to get caught up on the spines of similar invasive species L. ferocissimum on South Channel Fort (Donna Smithyman pers. comm.) causing injury and sometimes death. L. afrum in South Africa is described by Adamson & Salter (1950) as being ‘more spinous than L. ferocissimum’. The spines of L. afrum could also be injurious to native fauna. | MH | L |
| Pest Animal | | | |
| 17. Food source to pests? | Foliage of L. afrum is known to be readily consumed by rabbits on islands off the coast of South Africa (Gillham 1963) & in Australia rabbits are known to consume foliage of similar invasive species L. ferocissimum (Peter 2000). Supplies food to a serious pest, but at low levels, eg. Foliage (The fruit of L. ferocissimum is also consumed by foxes, with the fruits of L. afrum likely to be similarly attractive). | MH | MH |
| 18. Provides harbor? | The invasive species L. ferocissimum, (Muyt 2001) appears to be similar in habit and height to L. afrum, both are shrubs, capable of growing to a height of 4m and both described as having rigid main branches with short leafy lateral branches ending in a stout spine (Palgrave 1977, Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976). Rabbit warrens are known to be located beneath thickets of L. ferocissimum in Victoria, (Peter 2000) and it is possible L. afrum also has the capacity to provide harbour and permanent warrens for rabbits. | H | L |
| Agriculture | | | |
| 19. Impact yield? | Lycium ferocissimum: "Large clumps obviously eliminate considerable areas of pasture and can also impede stock movement." Animals seldom graze the plant because of the sharp spines (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). The reduction in available pasture would have major impact on yield. L. afrum is described by Adamson & Salter (1950) as being ‘more spinous than L. ferocissimum’, and with a similar habit and height to L. ferocissimum (Palgrave 1977, Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976) has potential to have a similar impact. | MH | L |
| 20. Impact quality? | Not documented as affecting the quality of agricultural produce. | L | M |
| 21. Affect land value? | No information was found to suggest species would affect land value. Dense infestations of similar species L. ferocissimum minimise available pasture, but control is possible under normal farm management practises. | L | M |
| 22. Change land use? | No information was found to suggest species would cause a change in land use. Dense infestations of L. ferocissimum minimise available pasture, but control is possible under normal farm management practises. | L | M |
| 23. Increase harvest costs? | Lycium ferocissimum: "Large clumps obviously eliminate considerable areas of pasture and can also impede stock movement." Described as a similar invasive species (Muyt 2001), L. afrum may have similar impacts. Impeding stock movement may lead to slightly more labour or time required to harvest stock, however, no specific information was found documented. | M | L |
| 24. Disease host/vector? | Lycium ferocissimum is host to Mediterranean and Queensland fruit fly, which deposit their eggs in the plants fruits (Orchard 1951). L. afrum has a similar fruit to L. ferocissimum (Haegi 1976, Palgrave 1977), with potential to also host fruit fly, a serious agricultural pest. | H | L |
Invasive
QUESTION | COMMENTS | RATING | CONFIDENCE |
| Establishment | | | |
| 1. Germination requirements? | To propagate L. afrum, it is documented that seeds should be sown in a greenhouse in Spring (PFAF 2004). This gives some indication that natural seasonal disturbances, such as warmer Spring temperatures, may be required for germination. | MH | M |
| 2. Establishment requirements? | Requires a sunny position and cannot grow in shade (PFAF 2004). Requires more specific requirements to establish including open space and access to light. | ML | M |
| 3. How much disturbance is required? | In Australia, African Box-thorn, L. ferocissimum, has invaded a variety of habitats including heathland, shrubland, drier forest and woodland (Muyt 2001). It is likely L. afrum could also establish in such ecosystems as both species possess similar characteristics and habit, and both originate from the Cape Province of South Africa occupying similar habitats (Walsh & Entwisle 1999, Haegi 1976, Peter 2000). However no information was found documented on the habitats, or degree of disturbance required by L. afrum to establish outside of its natural distribution. | M | L |
| Growth/Competitive | | | |
| 4. Life form? | A shrub or occasionally a small tree (Palgrave 1977). There is variability in its described height, with it stated by Haegi, (1976) to be 1-2 m and by Palgrave, (1977) to be 4 to 5 m. Lifeform: Other. | L | MH |
| 5. Allelopathic properties? | No allelopathic properties were found described for L. afrum or any other Lycium species. | L | ML |
| 6. Tolerates herb pressure? | The spinescence of L. afrum decreased feeding intake rates of boergoats and bushbuck in South Africa (Haschick & Kerley 1997). Consumed but not preferred. | MH | MH |
| 7. Normal growth rate? | L. ferocissimum is described as having a rapid growth rate once the root system is established with the ability to re-shoot vigorously from the base when top growth is damaged or removed (Muyt 2001; Blood 2001). As a similar species (Muyt 2001; Blood 2001), L afrum, may display similar growth characteristics, however, no information on growth rate was found documented. | M | L |
| 8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? | Grows on South Atlantic islands off the coast of South Africa that are prone to long summer drought and ‘spray-laden gales’ (Gillham 1963). Tolerates maritime exposure and short-lived frosts down to –5oC (PFAF 2004). Displays tolerance to drought, salt & frost and has potential to show some tolerance to fire, due to its occurrence in fire prone habitats (Fernkloof 2007, Cowling et al 1996). | MH | M |
| Reproduction | | | |
| 9. Reproductive system | L. afrum: Can grow from seed or easily from suckers (PFAF 2004). From the information available it is unclear if both sexual and vegetative reproduction would occur in a naturalised situation. | M | L |
| 10. Number of propagules produced? | The fruit is a berry containing about 20 seeds, (Haegi 1976) however, no information or satisfactory images could be found to suggest the number of fruits that would occur on a single plant. | M | L |
| 11. Propagule longevity? | No information was found documented in relation to propagule longevity. | M | L |
| 12. Reproductive period? | As a perennial woody shrub, it is likely to produce viable propagules for several years. | MH | ML |
| 13. Time to reproductive maturity? | L. ferocissimum does not flower until at least 2 years old (Parsons & Cuthbertson 2001). Time to reproductive maturity is likely to be similar for L. afrum, however, no information was found documented. | M | L |
| Dispersal | | | |
| 14. Number of mechanisms? | The fruits of L. ferocissimum, are readily eaten by many bird species (Peter 2000) as well as foxes and possibly lizards, and the seeds are viable when excreted (Parsons & Cuthbertson 1999; Blood 2001). L. afrum produces red-purplish to black fruits, of a similar size and shape to those of L. ferocissimum, (Palgrave 1977, Walsh & Entwistle 1999) making them probably also attractive to, and dispersed by, birds. | H | ML |
| 15. How far do they disperse? | With birds being highly mobile dispersal agents, it is likely many seeds would reach at least 200 m. | MH | M |
References
Adamson RS & Salter TM 1950, Flora of the Cape Peninsular, Juta & Co., Ltd, Cape Town & Johannesburg.
Botanical Dermatology database (BODD) 2005, viewed: 16th February 2007, http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/BotDermFolder/BotDermS/SOLA.html
Blood K 2001, Environmental Weeds: A field guide for SE Australia, CH Jerram Science Publishers, Mt Waverley, Victoria.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve website (Fernkloof) 2007, Fernkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa, viewed: 31st January 2007, http://fernkloof.com/index.mv
Gillham ME 1963, ‘Some Interactions of Plants, Rabbits and Sea-birds on South African Islands’, The Journal of Ecology, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 275-294.
Haegi L 1976, ‘Taxonomic Account of Lycium (Solanaceae) in Australia’, Australian Journal of Botany, vol. 24, pp. 669-79.
Haschick SL & Kerley GIH 1997, ‘Browse intake rates by bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) and boergoats (Capra hircus)’, African Journal of Ecology, vol. 35, pp. 146-155.
Muyt A 2001, Bush Invaders of South- East Australia, R.G. & F.J. Richardson, Meredith, Victoria.
Orchard HE 1951, ‘South African boxthorn (Lycium ferocissimum, Miers)’, J. Dep. Agric. S. Aust., vol. 54, pp. 428-430.
Palgrave KC 1977, Trees of Southern Africa, C. Struik Publishers, Cape Town-Johannesburg.
Parsons W.T. & Cuthbertson E.G. 2001, Noxious weeds of Australia, 2nd ed., CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood.
Peter JM 2000, ‘Birds and Boxthorn’, The Victorian Naturalist, vol. 117, no. 2, pp. 63-66.
Plants for a Future (PFAF) 2004, Plants for a Future: Edible, medicinal and useful plants for a healthier world, viewed: 16th February 2007, http://www.pfaf.org/
Praeger RL 1924, ‘A Fuerteventura Diary’, New Phytologist, vol. 23, no. 4, pp. 216-221.
Stearn WT 1972 (in Haegi 1976), Lycium. In ‘Flora Europaea’, vol. 3, Cambridge University Press, London.
Walsh NG & Entwisle TJ (eds.) 1999, Flora of Victoria, Volume 4: Dicotyledons- Cornaceae to Asteraceae, Royal Botanic Gardens, Inkata Press, Melbourne.
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program, Germplasm Resource Information Network (GRIN) [Online Database], National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland, viewed: 19th December 2006, http://www.ars-grin.gov./cgi_bin/npgs/html/taxon.pl?311145
Global present distribution data references
Real Jardin Botanico (Anthos) 2006, Proyecto ANTHOS, database: Sistema de Informacion sobre las plantas de Espana [Information System on the Plants of Spain], viewed: 16th February 2007, http://www.anthos.es/v21/index.php?page=intro
Australian National Herbarium (ANH) 2007, Australia’s Virtual Herbarium, Australian National Herbarium, Centre for Plant Diversity and Research, viewed: 19th December 2006, http://www.anbg.gov.au/avh/
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) 2006, Flora information system [CD-ROM], Biodiversity and Natural Resources Section, Viridans Pty Ltd, Bentleigh.
Fernkloof Nature Reserve website (Fernkloof) 2007, Fernkloof Nature Reserve, South Africa, viewed: 31st January 2007, http://fernkloof.com/index.mv
Palgrave KC 1977, Trees of Southern Africa, C. Struik Publishers, Cape Town-Johannesburg.
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 .