Capparis spinosa
| Capparis spinosa | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Evergreen | |
| Height: | 3' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Medicinal Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Capparis spinosa (common name: caper)
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[1].
Cultivation: Requires a hot, well-drained dry position in full sun[2][1][3]. Plants are tolerant of drought[3]. 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[2][1].
A perennial species, this plant produces annual stems from a woody base[2].
The flowers open in the early morning and fade by midday[3].
Capers are often cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical zones for their aromatic flower buds, which are used as a condiment[2], they are also frequently gathered from the wild[4]. There are some named varieties[5], the most commonly cultivated form tends to be the spineless C. spinosa inermis[4].
Range: Europe - Mediterranean to E. Asia - Himalayas.
Habitat: On rocks, affecting the hottest localities, to 3600 metres in the Himalayas[6]. Old walls, cliffs and rocky hillsides in the Mediterranean[2].
Edibility: The flower buds are pickled and used as a flavouring in sauces, salads etc[6][5]. The young fruits and tender branch tips can also be pickled and used as a condiment[5][4]. The flower buds are harvested in the early morning and wilted before pickling them in white vinegar[4].
Young shoots - cooked and used like asparagus[7][5].
Medicinal: The root-bark is analgesic, anthelmintic, antihaemorrhoidal, aperient, deobstruent, depurative, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic and vasoconstrictive[8]. It is used internally in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections, diarrhoea, gout and rheumatism[4][9]. Externally, it is used to treat skin conditions, capillary weakness and easy bruising[10]. The bark is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[4].
The stem bark is bitter and diuretic[10]. If taken before meals it will increase the appetite[10].
The unopened flower buds are laxative[10]. They are used internally in the treatment of coughs, and externally to treat eye infections[4]. 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[10].
A decoction of the plant is used to treat vaginal thrush[8][10].
The leaves are bruised and applied as a poultice in the treatment of gout[9].
Usage: An extract of the root is used as a cosmetic and is particularly useful in treating rose-coloured rashes and capillary weaknesses[8].
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
In Leaf: Evergreen
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Bown, Deni. Royal Horticultural Society Encyclopaedia of Herbs and Their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, 1995.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Gamble, James. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 1972.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Chiej, Roberto. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald, 1984.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Chopra, R. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi, 1986.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Chevallier, Andrew. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Dorling Kindersley, 1996.