Are Lycium Barbarum and Solanum Virginianum in the same botanical family?

Yes — both belong to Solanaceae.

Can you substitute Lycium Barbarum for Solanum Virginianum?

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

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Lycium Barbarum vs Solanum Virginianum

Lycium barbarum · Solanum virginianum

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.

Solanum Virginianum

Solanum virginianum

T Traditional Use

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum subg. Leptostemonum
Primary use: medicinal

Solanum virginianum, also called Surattense nightshade, yellow-fruit nightshade, yellow-berried nightshade, Indian nightshade, Thai green eggplant, or Thai striped eggplant, is a medicinal plant used mostly in India. Some parts of the plant, such as the fruit, are poisonous. Sola…

At a glance

· Both in Solanaceae, but different genera (Lycium vs Solanum subg. Leptostemonum).
· Both are primarily medicinal.
· Evidence tiers — Lycium Barbarum: T; Solanum Virginianum: T.