Pedanius Dioscorides
The generic name "Lycium" is derived from the Greek word λυκιον ("lykion"), which was applied by Pliny the Elder (23-79) and Pedanius Dioscorides (ca. 40-90) to a plant known as dyer's buckthorn. It was probably a "Rhamnus" species and was named for Lycia (Λυκία), the ancient southern Anatolian region in which it grew. The berry is called "lycii fructus" ("lycium fruit") in old Latin pharmacological texts.