Ilex cornuta is an evergreen shrub or small tree of the holly family, also known as cat thorn, tiger thorn, etc. Regarding the varieties of Gougu, although there are various variants and cultivated varieties, there is no fixed number of varieties, which may be related to classification standards, regional distribution, and research depth. The following are some common varieties of Chinese wolfberry and their characteristics:
1. Ordinary Gougu: This is the most common variety of Gougu, with three pointed and hard spines on its leaves. The central spine is often curved, and the leaf surface is dark green and glossy, while the back is light green and lacks luster. The flowering period is from April to May, with light yellow small flowers. The fruiting period is from October to December, and the fruit is bright red when it matures.
2. Spineless Cornus: Compared with ordinary Cornus, the edges of the leaves of spineless Cornus have no stinging teeth, which makes it safer and easier to accept in horticulture and landscape design. The spineless tangerine bone also has ornamental value, with its deep green leaves and red fruits adding beauty to it.
3. Flower and Leaf Gougu: The leaves of flower and leaf Gougu will show patterns or discoloration, making them more colorful and enhancing the diversity of viewing.
4. Round leaved Lycium: For example, Mount Huangshan Round leaved Lycium, its leaves are round, thick leathery, golden yellow, sunken, dark green, raised, tortoiseshell shaped, shiny, and very three-dimensional. This variety has high value in garden viewing.
5. Huangguo Gougu: Its fruit is dark red, different from the bright red fruit of ordinary Gougu, adding more color changes to Gougu varieties.
There are also some dwarf varieties such as Burfordii nana, whose leaves have a full edge and a yellow green "golden edge" on the edges, which have certain applications in horticulture.
Due to the combination of natural evolution and artificial cultivation, the variety of Gougu may change over time and in different regions. At the same time, there may be differences in the characteristics and uses of different varieties, so when selecting and using varieties of Chinese wolfberry, specific needs and environmental conditions need to be considered.
The number of varieties of Chinese wolfberry trees is not fixed, but common varieties include common Chinese wolfberry, spineless Chinese wolfberry, flower leaf Chinese wolfberry, round leaf Chinese wolfberry, and yellow fruit Chinese wolfberry. These varieties have their own characteristics and advantages in terms of landscaping and medicinal value.