Lycium pallidum is a dense, tall and narrow shrub, with thorny branches and a profusion of yellow-green flowers in the spring followed by red-to-blue berries in the summer and fall.  Often on hot dry slopes, Lycium pallidum will have only one, three foot tall main stem and a few shorter stems leaning outward from the base.  The plant shown in  this photograph is over five feet tall and has a number of main stems, for it gets good moisture and nutrients at the base of a large rock face.   Whether it is found in dry or moist conditions, Lycium looks quite old, thorny, and dead when it is leafless and dormant. 

The Anasazi must have cultivated this plant for its fruit, because it is commonly still found associated with their dwelling areas.

"Lycium" is from the ancient Greek for a shrub growing in Lycia in Asia Minor, and "pallidum" is from the Latin for "pale" and probably refers to the pale color of the flower.

The genus was named by Linnaeus in 1753, Fremont collected Lycium pallidum in Utah in 1844, but Fendler is credited with the first collection of it (from the Santa Fe area) in 1847.

Semi-desert. Shrublands, openings. Spring.
Butler Wash near the San Juan River, April 7, 2005.

Semi-desert. Shrublands, openings. Spring.
Butler Wash near the San Juan River, May3, 2007.

Semi-desert. Shrublands, openings. Spring.
Chimney Rock Anasazi Site, September 16, 2005.

Fruits are large and range from red through red/blue.