Lycium Chinese Mill. (Solanaceae)
This shrub has long, recurved, thorny branches. Leaves are dark green, ovate, about 3 cm long. It bears reddish purple flowers followed by orange-red berries. The thick stem on which the flowers grow is often called "the walking stick of the immortals". Locally, the plant is imported from Cameron Highlands and is seldom found on sale except at the right season.
Origin
Fruits
Lycium Chinese is native to China and Japan. It was later introduced into England where it
was thought by some to be the real tea plant and was sometimes called Lord Macartney's
tea. It is now distributed throughout the warmer, but not tropical, parts of the
world.
Dried Fruits
The soft slightly bitter leaves are cooked with pork or used in soups. The small dried red berries sold as a tonic in medical halls are very rich in carotene and are, thus good for the eyes.