Wild orange, Wild pomegranate, Orangewood, Grey capparis
Capparis canescens

Family: Capparaceae

What it is like

A small tree. It grows up to 4 m high. It spreads 1-2.5 m wide. There are thorns on young plant parts. The leaves have short felty hairs. The leaves are alternate and oval and 10 cm long. The buds have four ridges. The fruit can be smooth or warty. They grow to the size of an orange. They are 2-7 cm across. The fruit and seeds are edible.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is sensitive to cold. In north Queensland it grows from sea level to 840 m altitude. It grows on open woodlands and on a range of soils.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The almost ripe fruit are picked and then buried for a day to ripen. This makes them more sweet.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from fresh seed.

Its other names

Local names

Karn-doo-thal, Mondo, Nipan

Synonyms

Busbeckia canescens F. Muell.; Capparis areolata F. M. Bailey; Capparis armata Domin.; Capparis canescens var. glauca Benth.; Capparis muelleri Domin;