Coastal caper, Native Caper, Wood Caper
Capparis lucida

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A vine, shrub or tree up to 12 m high. The leaves are simple and 3-10 cm long. They can have a few hairs along the midrib on the upper side. The leaves are shiny. The flowers are white or pale yellow. They are 3-4 cm across. They occur on stalks 2-5 cm long in clusters at the ends of branches. The fruit are 17-50 mm across. They can occur singly or in bunches. They are red, purple or black. There are several seeds. These are 6-8 mm long. The flesh is edible.

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

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows naturally in lowland rainforest in Queensland, Australia. It needs well-drained soil and full sun. It grows at low elevations close to the beach.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia (country/location of origin), Indonesia, Malesia, SE Asia, Timor-Leste, Torres Strait

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit, buds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seed.

Its other names

Local names

Kadal darng, Pohan kaper pantai

Synonyms

Busbeckea corymbiflora F. Muell.; Thylachium lucidum DC;