lycIne

[Mod. Lat. Lycium barbarum ); Eng. suff. -ine.] Chemistry: A base contained in the Box Thorn ( Lycium barbarum ) . The base obtained from the lycopodal hydro chlorate is a white radio-crystalline ma , which has a sharp taste, di olves easily in water and alcohol, and sparingly in ether. Most of its salts are crystallizable, and easily soluble in water. lýç-1-ŭm, subst . [Gr. lykion =a kind of Lycian thorny shrub.] Bot.: Boxthorn; a genus of Solanaceæ, tribe Atropese. It consists of trees or shrubs, usually spinose, with white, yellow, rose-colored, purple, or scarlet flowers. About thirty are known. Lycium europœum is used for hedges in the Greek Islands, though, perhaps, not there. The young shoots are eaten in Spain with oil and vinegar. They are also eaten in India, where goats browse on the plant. The berries are reputed aphrodisiac.