Lycium Shawii (Desert Thorn – قصد)

Lycium Shawii, commonly known as Desert Thorn or قصد in Arabic, is a hardy, spiny shrub native to the deserts of the Arabian Peninsula, North Africa, and South Asia. It produces small, narrow leaves, purple tubular flowers, and bright red berries that attract birds and wildlife. Lycium Shawii thrives in extreme arid conditions, making it a valuable plant for desert landscaping, erosion control, and native habitat restoration in the UAE.

Benefits of Lycium Shawii

• Extremely drought- and heat-tolerant; ideal for desert environments
• Produces colorful berries that attract birds and wildlife
• Serves as a natural barrier or hedge due to its thorny branches
• Contributes to desert soil stabilization and ecosystem balance
• Medicinally valued in traditional herbal practices

Care Tips for Lycium Shawii

• Light: Requires full sunlight
• Watering: Very minimal; thrives with little irrigation
• Soil: Prefers sandy, gravelly, well-draining desert soils
• Pruning: Trim occasionally to maintain shape or remove dead branches
• Fertilizer: Not required; grows well in nutrient-poor soils