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Baja Desert Thorn

Lycium brevipes

true

1 gallon

Baja Desert Thorn

In stock

8'x8'

Sizes:

Baja Desert Thorn - Lycium fremontii

Dense, mounding shrub excellent for wildlife habitat. Small tubular lavender flowers are followed by showy red berries that attract birds. The branches are lined with small, fleshy green leaves. This bushy, spreading shrub typically grows up to 12 feet tall but is usually shorter, with many long, thorny, tangled branches. Because of its tendency to form tangled thickets, it can be pruned during summer dormancy to improve shape. Commonly used for bank stabilization and hedges.

Native to northwestern Mexico, Baja Desert Thorn occurs in California as far as the Sonoran Desert and on some of the Channel Islands. It grows in desert scrub and coastal habitats. Belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is drought tolerant and well adapted to alkaline and sandy soils, making it a resilient choice for harsh desert landscapes.

The flowers bloom in late spring to summer, attracting a variety of pollinators including native bees and butterflies. The dense thickets provide excellent cover and nesting sites for birds and small mammals. The bright red berries are a valuable food source for many local bird species, especially during dry months when other fruits are scarce.

Wildlife Value:
Host Plant: —
Nectar Source: Western Pygmy Blue (Brephidium exilis); Monarch (Danaus plexippus)
Bird Resources: Caterpillars; Insects; Berries/Fruit; Nectar; Nest
Bird Species: Gambel's Quail (Callipepla gambelii); Phainopepla (Phainopepla nitens); Anna’s Hummingbird (Calypte anna); Costa’s Hummingbird (Calypte costae); Grosbeaks; Crows; Finches; Mockingbirds; Orioles; Thrushes; Sparrows; Vireos; Waxwings; Warblers

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

8'x8'

Growth rate:

Moderate

Flower color:

Lavender

Flower season:

Spring - Summer

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

25 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

No

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Yes

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

No

Bats:

No

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Yes

Nest materials:

No

Rabbit-resistant:

Yes

Tortoises:

No

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.

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