Capparis cartilaginea

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub. It can hang from rocks. It is fleshy with short crooked branches. It can grow to 4 m high. The leaves are oval and 2-6 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. They are fleshy. The flowers occur singly in the axils of leaves. They are large and white and unequal. The flowers stalk is stout and 4-5 cm long. The fruit is oval and 3-5 cm long and 2-3 cm wide. It can be reddish and ribbed. It has many seeds in a pulp.

There are about 250 Capparis species. There are about 50 Capparis species in tropical America.

Where it is found

A Mediterranean plant. It grows near the coast. It grows from sea level to 1,800 m altitude. It can grow in alkaline soil. It can grow in salty soils. It can grow in arid places.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, East Africa, Egypt - Sinai, Eritrea, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Kenya, Mediterranean, Middle East, North Africa, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Sinai, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Yemen

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. The bitter skin is removed. The flowers are cooked as a vegetable. The seeds are sweet and provide sugar.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, seeds, gum

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ankuyis, Delensisa, Gorra, Jarra, Lasaf, Lassaf, Lokapilak

Synonyms

Capparis galeata Fresen.; Capparis spinosa var. galeata (Fres.) Hook. f. & Thoms.; Capparis uncinata Edgew.;