Capparis micracantha

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A vine or half erect shrub with drooping branches. It grows 4-5 m tall. It is thorny. The leaves are alternate, leathery and shiny. Both the tips and base of the leaves are usually rounded. Flowers occur on the stem above the leaf axils. They are on trailing branches. The flower petals are white with lower ones yellow or reddish. There are 20 long stamens. The fruit are oval and 3 or 4 cm long. They are smooth and bright red when ripe. The fruit is on a long stalk.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. They occur in areas of shrubs and secondary forest at low and medium altitudes from northern Luzon to southern Mindanao in the Philippines.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Cambodia, China, East Timor, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Philippines, SE Asia, South Sudan, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw when ripe. They are also used like capers.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

In southern China plants flower in March to May and fruit in July and August.

Its other names

Local names

Cap gai-nho, Chai chu, Chieng chi, Ching-chee, Halubagat-Kahoi, Halubagat, Kanchee baaydaac, Kanh che bay dach, Melada, Saisu

Synonyms

Capparis bariensis Pierre ex Gagnep.; Capparis billaedieri DC.; Capparis callosa Blume; Capparis conspicua Wall. Invalid; Capparis forsteniana Miq.; Capparis hainanensis Oliv.; Capparis liangii Merr. & Chun; Canthium myrioneura Hallier. f.; Capparis odorata Blanco; Capparis petelotii Merr.; Capparis roydsiifolia Kurz; Capparis venosa Merr.;