Coastal caper, Caper Bush
Capparis spinosa

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A small dense shrub. It grows 1-2 m high. The branches are zigzag and spiny. The thorns are straight. The leaves are rounded and thick. They are dull green and 2-4 cm across. They are covered with a white covering. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white. They have 3 petals. They are about 6 cm across. The fruit is a round berry. It is about 3 cm long. It bursts open when ripe.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical or Mediterranean plant. It grows along streams and in rocky coastal areas. In Nepal it grows up to 2000 m altitude. In the Indian Himalayas it grows between 3,000-3,700 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 9-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Balkans, Bosnia, Caucasus, Central Africa, Central Asia, Chad, China, Crete, Cyprus, East Africa, Egypt, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malaysia, Mediterranean (country/location of origin), Middle East, Morocco, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Sicily, Spain, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Yemen, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The unopened flower buds are pickled in vinegar and used as capers. The fruit are edible. The unripe fruit are eaten as a vegetable. The young leaves are extracted in 2 changes of water then the solid mass is cooked and eaten. Capers are used to garnish pizzas and in sauce. Young sprouts are eaten.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Flower buds, fruit, leaves, herb, spice, vegetable, seeds - flavouring

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

The capers need to be harvested in the early morning, before sunrise. They are then allowed to wilt for a day. These are then put in salted wine vinegar to pickle.

Its other names

Local names

Alcaparra, Alcaparras, Alcaparro, Azaf, Baganchuwa, Bagh mukhe, Bagh mukwa, Barar, Cappero peloso, Cappero, Capre, Capres, Caprier, Chjapparini, Ci shan gan, Dabayee, Dikenli gebere, Flinders-rose, Gabbar, Gebere, Kabar, Kabbar, Kabra, Kakri, Kalavri, Kanap, Kapar, Kapari, Kapernstrauch, Kaur, Kebbar, Keepaa, Khawarg, Kiari, Kokilakshamu, Kywe-hna-kaung-gyeik, Lasaf, Melada, Mullukattari, Native Caper, Otsi dzmeruk, Panetro, Shefallah, Tapenera, Tapeno, Tapera, Taylalout, Tzalaph

Synonyms

Blumea grandiflora Zipp. ex Span.; Capparis aculeata Steud.; Capparis microphylla Ledeb.; Capparis murrayi Stewart ex Dalz.; Capparis ovalis Risso; Capparis ovata Desf.; Capparis peduncularis C. Presl.; Capparis sativa Pers.