Chinese Box Thorn

APPEARANCE: Identify this vegetable by its stiff, straight, stout, unbranched stems. Oval leaves closely cover the branches, giving them the appearance of slim feather dusters. They typically measure 15 to 20 inches in length — and sometimes bear thorns hidden among the foliage.

QUALITY: The main criterion is a bushy green look of healthy vigor.

COMMENTS: Also known as matrimony vine, this plant belongs to a family (the Solanaceae) of considerable diversity and economic importance, including, for example, the potato, tomato, petunia, and tobacco. Interestingly, just as the potato and tomato were first grown for ornamentation, not eating, so Chinese box thorn is grown as a decorative shrub in American and European gardens and as a food plant only in Asia.