Species library · Berries & fruit

Foraging Goji Berry

Lycium barbarum

Typically in season from August to September in the northern hemisphere. Found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows. Has toxic lookalikes, so check carefully.

Goji Berry (Lycium barbarum)

Photo: anonymous, no known copyright restrictions (public domain) · iNaturalist

When Goji Berry is in season

Typical window in the northern hemisphere, peak August to September. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset, and your own timing depends on local weather, so check your town.

→ Everything in season to forage in September

Where it grows

Goji Berry is usually found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

⚠ Look-alikes & safety

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly nightshade, Bittersweet nightshade, Black nightshade. Only forage with a confident ID.

Take Goji Berry into the field

Open Goji Berry in the Forage app for its full field guide entry with more photos, key features and toxic lookalikes to check against. Add it to your watchlist and the app pings you the moment it comes into season at your exact spot, worked out from live weather, elevation and billions of occurrence records.

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Goji Berry: common questions

When is Goji Berry in season?

Goji Berry is generally in season from August to September in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather. Check the Season Finder for your own location.

Where does Goji Berry grow?

Goji Berry is usually found in Disturbed ground, Scrub & hedgerows.

Is Goji Berry safe to forage?

Deadly look-alikes: Deadly nightshade, Bittersweet nightshade, Black nightshade. Only forage with a confident ID. Never eat any wild plant, berry, nut or mushroom unless you are completely certain of the identification. Check every find against a reliable field guide, and when in doubt, don't.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits