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

Yes — both belong to Solanaceae.

Can you substitute Lycium Chinense 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 Chinense vs Solanum Virginianum

Lycium chinense · Solanum virginianum

Lycium Chinense

Lycium chinense

T Traditional Use

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Lycium
Primary use: medicinal

Lycium chinense is one of two species of boxthorn shrub in the family Solanaceae. Along with Lycium barbarum, it produces the goji berry ("wolfberry"). Two varieties are recognized, L. chinense var. chinense and L. chinense var. potaninii. It is also known as Chinese boxthorn, Ch…

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 Chinense: T; Solanum Virginianum: T.