Common Name:

General Information

Capparis spinosa cartilaginea is a thorny, usually erect shrub growing 60 - 400cm tall[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine. Only the uses specifically ascribed to this subspecies are recorded here. Go to Capparis spinosa for the full list of uses for the species.

Known Hazards

Caper extracts and pulps have been used in cosmetics, but there have been cases reported of contact dermatitis and sensitivity from their use[].

Botanical References

Range

Northeastern and eastern Africa, through the Arabian peninsula and the Levant, eastwards to Pakistan and India.

Habitat

Cliffs, rocky slopes, stony wadis, sandy and alluvial soils; on limestone, sandstone, gypsum, coral,
gneiss and volcanic substrata; at elevations from sea level to 2,400 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Capers generally require a hot, well-drained dry position in full sun[, , ]. Plants can tolerate some frost so long as the ground is very well-drained. They generally dislike heavy soils[]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought[]. They prefer a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8.3[]. They should be tolerant of a higher pH than this, particularly as they can be found in the wild on coral based soils[].
Often harvested from the wild as a medicine, the fruit is also sometimes eaten[].
The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[].
The flowers are reported to open in the evening and fade by late morning the following day[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The reddish, ovoid or ellipsoid, ribbed fruit is borne on a thickened stalk; it is usually 30 - 50mm long and 20 - 30mm ide, though can be up to 90mm long and 40mm wide[].

The above is information we have found specifically applying to this subspecies. Go to the record for Capparis spinosa to obtain further information on the full range of uses for this subspecies.

Medicinal

The plant is frequently utilized for its medicinal properties in eastern Africa[]
In Somalia the leaves are steeped in hot water and used as a treatment of cough in adults, children and even infants[]. The same use is recorded for the fruit in the northern part of the country, where the native name 'Goh' represents the sound of a cough[].

The dried leaves mixed with wood ash are used as 'chewing tobacco'[].

The above is information we have found specifically applying to this subspecies. Go to the record for Capparis spinosa to obtain further information on the full range of uses for this subspecies.

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Caper seeds are miniscule and seedlings are very slow growing. The fresh seed germinates quickly, although germination rates are usually quite low[]. Dried seed becomes dormant and notably difficult to germinate - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water at around 40°c which is then allowed to cool. Then wrap them in a moist cloth, place them in a sealed glass jar and kept in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 months. After refrigeration, soak the seeds again in warm water overnight. Sow the seeds about 1cm deep in a loose well drained soil medium[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a sandy medium[]. Use stems from the basal portions, greater than 1cm diameter and 8cm long with 6 - 10 buds. Use a loose, well drained media with bottom heat. A 70% rooting percentage would be considered good[]

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