Practical
Plants

Capparis spinosa

Caper

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
1 m
Spread
2 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Edible uses

The flower buds are pickled and used as a flavouring in sauces, salads etc[1][3]. The young fruits and tender branch tips can also be pickled and used as a condiment[3][6]. The flower buds are harvested in the early morning and wilted before pickling them in white vinegar[6]. Young shoots - cooked and used like asparagus[2][3].

Product or use
Condiment
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The root-bark is analgesic, anthelmintic, antihaemorrhoidal, aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic and vasoconstrictive[10]. It is used internally in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea, gout and rheumatism[6][7]. Externally, it is used to treat skin conditions, capillary weakness and easy bruising[8]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[6]. The stem bark is bitter and diuretic[8]. If taken before meals it will increase the appetite[8]. The unopened flower buds are laxative[8]. They are used internally in the treatment of coughs, and externally to treat eye infections[6]. The buds are a rich source of compounds known as aldose-reductose inhibitors - it has been shown that these compounds are effective in preventing the formation of cataracts. The buds are harvested before the flowers open and can be pickled for later use - when prepared correctly they are said to ease stomach pain[8]. A decoction of the plant is used to treat vaginal thrush[10][8]. The leaves are bruised and applied as a poultice in the treatment of gout[7].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Anthelmintic
Product or use
Antihaemorrhoidal
Product or use
Aperient
Product or use
Deobstruent
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Expectorant
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasoconstrictor

Material uses

An extract of the root is used as a cosmetic and is particularly useful in treating rose-coloured rashes and capillary weaknesses[10].

Product or use
Cosmetic

Environment

Range
Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat
On rocks, affecting the hottest localities, to 3600 metres in the Himalayas[1]. Old walls, cliffs and rocky hillsides in the Mediterranean[4].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a greenhouse. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil when they are large enough to handle. Grow on the young plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in sand in a cold frame[5].

Cultivation

Requires a hot, well-drained dry position in full sun[4][5][9]. Plants are tolerant of drought[9]. Tolerates a pH in the range 6.3 to 8.3. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[4][5]. A perennial species, this plant produces annual stems from a woody base[4]. The flowers open in the early morning and fade by midday[9]. Capers are often cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical zones for their aromatic flower buds, which are used as a condiment[4], they are also frequently gathered from the wild[6]. There are some named varieties[3], the most commonly cultivated form tends to be the spineless C. spinosa inermis[6].

References

  1. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

    ↩

  3. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  4. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  5. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7

  7. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  8. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  10. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

Edit this page