Ceylon caper, Indian caper
Capparis zeylanica

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A climber or shrub. It grows 2-5 m tall. The small branches zigzag. There are thorns that curve backwards. These are 3-6 mm long. A vine with alternate leaves. The leaves are hairy, with pointed tips and rounded base. The flowers are fairly large and pink turning to purple. The fruit are berries that are red then black. They can be 5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They have a woody skin. There are many seeds. These are in a fleshy pulp.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows near the foothills of the Himalayas up to 800 m altitude. It grows in dry deciduous forest. In the Philippines reported only from Luzon and Mindanao.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka (country/location of origin), Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are made into pickles. The fruit are bitter. They are soaked overnight and boiled in water. Young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. They are somewhat bitter. The seeds of the ripe fruit are eaten roasted.

Edible parts

Fruit, flowers, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be raised from seed.

In China it flowers in February to April and fruits in July.

Its other names

Local names

Aathandai, Adonda, Adonda teega, Adondai, Ardanda, Asadua, Asaria, Bagh mukhwa, Bagnai, Baralauik, Cap tichlan, Cap tieh pan, Gai den, Gitoran, Gobindaphal, Govindi, Govind-phal, Halubagat-baging, Halubagat, His, Kaathatikaai, Kalookra, Karaluwa, Karambha, Karvila, Kevisi, Kolokera, Mai-nam-lawt, Mani-thani-yet, Mari punp, Melada, Nah-ma-nee-tanyet, Nwamani-than-lyet, Orkali, Rook saa, Sa-rae, Suduthoratti, Tarabtab, Thaolang-makkep, Toratti, Tottula, Vaghati, Wagat, Waghata, Waghati, Waghoti, Waghutale, Walakenaru, Yieokai

Synonyms

Capparis horrida L.f.; Capparis latifolia Craib;