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The matrimony-vines are shrubs with usually spiny branches, rigid in some species, slender and arching or procumbent in others, with rather small and narrow usually grayish green leaves and dull-colored, whitish, purplish or violet flowers, followed by scarlet, rarely yellow or black berries. Most of the species are tender, but L. halimifolium, L. chinense, and also L. turcomanicum and L. ruthenicum are hardy North. L. pallidum has proved hardy at the Arnold Arboretum. The two first named are especially attractive in fall, when the long and slender branches are loaded with scarlet or bright red fruits, which contrast well with the green foliage. The leaves remain fresh and unchanged in color until they drop, after severe frost. The species are well adapted for covering walls, fences, arbors and other trellis work, but are, perhaps, most beautiful when the branches are pendent from rocks or from the top of walls. They are also used sometimes for hedges, and for warmer regions, especially, L. horridum and L. afrum may be recommended. The latter is much used in South Africa for this purpose under the name of "caffir thorn." The box-thorns grow in almost any soil that is not too moist. They should not be planted near flower-beds or similar places, where the suckers are apt to become troublesome. Propagation is accomplished readily by hardwood cuttings or suckers; also by layers and seeds.

The matrimony-vines are shrubs with usually spiny branches, rigid in some species, slender and arching or procumbent in others, with rather small and narrow usually grayish green leaves and dull-colored, whitish, purplish or violet flowers, followed by scarlet, rarely yellow or black berries. Most of the species are tender, but L. halimifolium, L. chinense, and also L. turcomanicum and L. ruthenicum are hardy North. L. pallidum has proved hardy at the Arnold Arboretum. The two first named are especially attractive in fall, when the long and slender branches are loaded with scarlet or bright red fruits, which contrast well with the green foliage. The leaves remain fresh and unchanged in color until they drop, after severe frost. The species are well adapted for covering walls, fences, arbors and other trellis work, but are, perhaps, most beautiful when the branches are pendent from rocks or from the top of walls. They are also used sometimes for hedges, and for warmer regions, especially, L. horridum and L. afrum may be recommended. The latter is much used in South Africa for this purpose under the name of "caffir thorn." The box-thorns grow in almost any soil that is not too moist. They should not be planted near flower-beds or similar places, where the suckers are apt to become troublesome. Propagation is accomplished readily by hardwood cuttings or suckers; also by layers and seeds.

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