LY'CIUM A'FRUM. 
Var. spinosum. 
SPINY AFRICAN BOX-THORN. 
Class. 
PENTANDRIA 
Order. 
MONOGYNIA. 
Natural Order. 
SOLANACE.E. 
Native of 
Height. 
Flowers in 
Habit. 
Cultivated 
C.G.Hope 
10 feet. 
June, July. 
Shrub. 
in 1712. 
No. 1074. 
This plant is supposed to have been named from 
Lycia, a part of Asia. The Greek word, lykion, 
was used by Dioscorides as the name of a thorny 
shrub. 
It is probable that this plant is sometimes pro- 
pagated from seeds ; and, consequently, varieties 
occur of very different character. Cultivation, it 
is certain, has considerable influence on its general 
growth and appearance ; but it is considered by 
some cultivators as impossible that it can be pro- 
ductive of the difference which we are told perma- 
nently exists amongst the plants of this species. 
Some continue to grow bushy, compact, and almost 
spineless ; whilst others seem to consist of a col- 
lection of straggling thorns ; hence we call this the 
spiny variety. 
The chief aim in the cultivation of this plant 
should be to ripen the wood thoroughly, by giving 
it a summer temperature as long as is convenient. 
At the same time luxuriant succulent shoots should 
be shortened or cut out. It should be potted in a 
mixture of peat and loam, if kept for window pro- 
tection ; or be planted against a warm wall. 
