Lycums

Lycums is a genus of flowering plants native to high-altitude grasslands and rocky slopes of the continent Norvale. The plants are adapted to cool, windy environments and display variation in leaf shape and flower color across species.

Plants are woody shrubs typically 0.5 to 1.8 meters tall, with slender, lanceolate leaves. Flowers are tubular to bell-shaped, 1 to 2 centimeters long, and occur singly or in small clusters. Colors range from violet and blue to white. The fruit is a glossy berry about 6 to 10 millimeters in diameter.

Five species are widely recognized: Lycums alpinum, Lycums rivale, Lycums nocturnus, Lycums ceruleum, and Lycums argentum. Distinguishing traits include flower color and leaf morphology; the genus is morphologically related to the real Lycium, but occupies distinct alpine habitats in Norvale.

Distribution is confined to sun-exposed talus and meadow margins above 1800 meters. The plants are pollinated mainly by hawk moths and bumblebees, and birds disperse the berries. They contribute to soil stabilization in alpine communities and can serve as indicator species for habitat disturbance.

In cultivation, Lycums are grown as ornamental shrubs in alpine gardens and rockeries. They require well-drained soil, full sun, and minimal irrigation once established. In local folklore, berries are mentioned in traditional recipes and as a source of natural dye, though practical use is limited by modest fruit yield.

Taxonomic treatment has varied. The genus was first described in Norvale botany in the early 22nd century, with subsequent revisions clarifying species limits and cultivar designations. Ongoing molecular studies aim to determine its relationship to related genera within the family Lycaceae.