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

Yes — both belong to Solanaceae.

Can you substitute Lycium Barbarum for Solanum Aethiopicum?

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 Aethiopicum

Lycium barbarum · Solanum aethiopicum

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 Aethiopicum

Solanum aethiopicum

T Traditional Use

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

Solanum aethiopicum, the bitter tomato, Ethiopian eggplant, or nakati, is a fruiting plant of the genus Solanum mainly found in Asia and Tropical Africa. It is also known as Ethiopian nightshade, garden eggs, pumpkin-on-a-stick, and mock tomato. It is a popular vegetable in north…

At a glance

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