Are Capsicum Annuum and Lycium Barbarum in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Solanaceae.

Can you substitute Capsicum Annuum for Lycium Barbarum?

They share the Solanaceae family, so they can sometimes substitute in recipes — with notable differences in aroma.

Compare · per-herb profile

Capsicum Annuum vs Lycium Barbarum

Capsicum annuum · Lycium barbarum

Capsicum Annuum

Capsicum annuum

T Traditional Use

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Capsicum
Primary use: culinary & medicinal

Capsicum annuum is a flowering plant in the family Solanaceae (nightshades), native to the northern regions of South America and to southwestern North America. The plant produces berries of many colors including red, green, and yellow, often with pungent taste. It is one of the o…

Lycium Barbarum

Lycium barbarum

T Traditional Use

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Lycium
Primary use: medicinal

Lycium barbarum is a shrub native to China, with present-day range across Asia and southeast Europe. It is one of two species of boxthorn in the family Solanaceae from which the goji berry or wolfberry is harvested, the other being Lycium chinense.

At a glance

· Both in Solanaceae, but different genera (Capsicum vs Lycium).
· Primary use differs — Capsicum Annuum: both; Lycium Barbarum: medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Capsicum Annuum: T; Lycium Barbarum: T.