Capparis spinosa
Linn.
Coastal caper, Caper Bush
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What to Eat
Edible parts: Flower buds, Fruit, Leaves, Herb, Spice, Vegetable, Seeds - flavouring
The flower buds are the classic caper of commerce — harvested in the early morning, wilted, then pickled in white vinegar and used as a flavouring in sauces, salads, and similar dishes. Young fruits and tender branch tips can also be pickled and used as a condiment. Young shoots are cooked and eaten like asparagus.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
It is a tropical or Mediterranean plant. It grows along streams and in rocky coastal areas. In Nepal it grows up to 2000 m altitude. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,000-3,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.
Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Balkans, Bosnia, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chad, China, Crete, Cyprus, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mediterranean*, Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Sicily, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Yugoslavia,
How to Identify
A small dense shrub. It grows 1-2 m high. The branches are zigzag and spiny. The thorns are straight. The leaves are rounded and thick. They are dull green and 2-4 cm across. They are covered with a white covering. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white. They have 3 petals. They are about 6 cm across. The fruit is a round berry. It is about 3 cm long. It bursts open when ripe.
Nutrition Score: 48/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit | 79.6 | 379 | 91 | 4.6 | — | 23 | 0.9 | 0.4 |
| Leaves-dry wt | — | — | 17.9 | — | — | 72 | — | — |
| Leaves | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Sprouts | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
How to Grow
Requires a hot, well-drained dry position in full sun. Plants are tolerant of drought. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.3 to 8.3. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. A perennial species, this plant produces annual stems from a woody base. The flowers open in the early morning and fade by midday. Capers are often cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical zones for their aromatic flower buds, which are used as a condiment, they are also frequently gathered from the wild. There are some named varieties, the most commonly cultivated form tends to be the spineless C. spinosa inermis. Common caper plants are relatively slow to establish but can grow moderately once established, reaching heights of about 1 meter (3 feet) and spreading outwards as a bushy shrub. Capers are usually harvested in late spring to early summer when the flower buds are still immature and unopened. Capparis spinosa flowers primarily from late spring to early summer.
Propagation: Seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Prick seedlings out into individual pots of well-drained soil when large enough to handle. Grow young plants through at least their first winter under glass and plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood can be taken in July or August and rooted in sand in a cold frame.
Medicinal Uses
The root bark is analgesic, anthelmintic, antihaemorrhoidal, aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic, and vasoconstrictive. Internally it is used to treat gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea, gout, and rheumatism. Externally it is applied to skin conditions, capillary weakness, and easy bruising. The bark is harvested in autumn and dried for later use. The stem bark is bitter and diuretic, and taken before meals it stimulates the appetite. The unopened flower buds are laxative, used internally for coughs and externally to treat eye infections. The buds are a rich source of aldose-reductase inhibitors, compounds shown to be effective in preventing cataract formation. Correctly prepared pickled buds are said to ease stomach pain. A decoction of the plant is used to treat vaginal thrush. Bruised leaves are applied as a poultice for gout.
Other Uses
An extract of the root is used as a cosmetic, particularly for treating rose-coloured rashes and capillary weakness. Capers are often used as a drought-resistant ground cover in arid and semi-arid areas, helping to improve soil structure and prevent erosion. The flowers are rich in nectar and pollen and attract pollinators including bees. The fruits (caper berries) provide food for birds, and the plant's low-growing, sprawling habit offers some shelter for small animals and insects. The dense sprawling growth can also provide shelter for invertebrates.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Evergreen shrub reaching 1 m tall by 2 m wide, growing at fast rate. Hardy to UK zone 8. Year-round foliage. Hermaphrodite and self-fertile. Attracts wildlife. Grows in light, medium, or heavy well-drained soils with mildly acid to basic pH; tolerates very alkaline soils. Cannot grow in shade. Tolerates both dry and moist conditions and drought.
Production
The capers need to be harvested in the early morning, before sunrise. They are then allowed to wilt for a day. These are then put in salted wine vinegar to pickle.
Other Information
It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.
Notes
There are about 250 Capparis species. There are about 50 Capparis species in tropical America.
Names & Synonyms
Alcaparra, Alcaparras, Alcaparro, Azaf, Baganchuwa, Bagh mukhe, Bagh mukwa, Barar, Cappero peloso, Cappero, Capre, Capres, Caprier, Chjapparini, Ci shan gan, Dabayee, Dikenli gebere, Flinders-rose, Gabbar, Gebere, Kabar, Kabbar, Kabra, Kakri, Kalavri, Kanap, Kapar, Kapari, Kapernstrauch, Kaur, Kebbar, Keepaa, Khawarg, Kiari, Kokilakshamu, Kywe-hna-kaung-gyeik, Lasaf, Melada, Mullukattari, Native Caper, Otsi dzmeruk, Panetro, Shefallah, Tapenera, Tapeno, Tapera, Taylalout, Tzalaph
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