Capparis corymbosa
Family: Capparaceae
What it is like
A climbing shrub. The bark is dark grey and scaly. The leaves are alternate and usually softly hairy. They are oval and have a shallow notch at the top end with a sharp tip. They can be 4 cm long. The flowers are in groups of 10-15 and they are white or cream coloured. The fruit are round and orange red and 12 mm across. They are orange red or yellow.
There are about 250 Capparis species. There are about 50 Capparis species in tropical America.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in the Sahel. It is often on termite mounds in the savannah. It can be on seasonally flooded areas with an iron hardpan. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Sahel, Senegal, Sudan, West Africa
How it is used for food
The leaves are sometimes boiled in soup. The fruit are used in cakes.
A famine food.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seed.
Its other names
Local names
Goumi balewi