Cantelan bush, Gagahan
Capparis pyrifolia

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can be climbing. It grows up to 3 m high. New growth is hairy. The leaves are oblong with slightly curved thorns. The flowers occur as 2-4 in a row. They are yellowish or greenish-white. The fruit are round and abut 1 cm across. They are black when ripe. They have 2-6 seeds.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in teak forests between sea level and 700 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Cambodia, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Philippines, SE Asia, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds or cuttings.

Its other names

Local names

Cantelan, Cap la-xali, Kayu tujuh, Sanek

Synonyms

Capparis acuminata Willd.; Capparis dasypetala Turcz.; Capparis foetida Blume; Capparis kerrii Craib; Capparis oxyphylla Miq.; Capparis zeylanica Wight & Arn.; Oligloron zeylanica Raf.;