Bean caper, Syrian bean caper
Zygophyllum fabago
Family: Zygophyllaceae
What it is like
A hairless perennial herb. It has erect stems 1 m tall. The leaves have 2 oval fleshy leaflets. The leaf stalk extends beyond the leaflets. The flowers are white with an orange centre. They are 9-11 mm across and occur singly in the axils of the upper leaves. The petals are oblong and longer than the sepals. The fruit is a capsule which hangs down. It is cylinder shaped and 20-35 mm long.
Where it is found
It is a temperate and Mediterranean climate plant. It grows on dry rocky and sandy places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Afghanistan, Africa, Asia, Central Asia, China, Europe, France, Inner Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Mediterranean, North Africa, Pakistan, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
How it is used for food
The flower buds are pickled and used as a caper substitute.
Edible parts
Flowers, spice, fruit
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Miandandan