Are Lycium Barbarum and Maianthemum Atropurpureum in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Solanaceae.

Can you substitute Lycium Barbarum for Maianthemum Atropurpureum?

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

Compare · per-herb profile

Lycium Barbarum vs Maianthemum Atropurpureum

Lycium barbarum · Maianthemum atropurpureum

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.

Maianthemum Atropurpureum

Maianthemum atropurpureum

T Traditional Use

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Maianthemum
Primary use: medicinal

At a glance

· Both in Solanaceae, but different genera (Lycium vs Maianthemum).
· Both are primarily medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Lycium Barbarum: T; Maianthemum Atropurpureum: T.