Capparis shanesiana

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A small spreading shrub. It grows 1-3 m high and 1-4 m wide. The bark is pale grey, hard and deeply cracked. It is a neat shrub with a rounded, dense, green crown. The young shoots have long yellow hairs. The stems have thorns which curve backwards. The leaves are 6-10 cm long by 2-4 cm wide. They are sword shaped, thick and leathery. They are hairy underneath. The flowers are 7-8 cm across. They are white with pink stamens. The fruit is a berry 4-5 cm across. It is round and wrinkled. The fruit pulp is edible.

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 inland areas of central Queensland. It grows in open savannah type woodland.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Busbeckea shanesiana F. Muell.;