textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Indian Caper
Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia
SA tree no: 130
English: Indian Caper, Bushy Caper-bush, Hedge Caper-bush, Cape Caper, Lemon Capers, Long-haired Caper Bush, Wild Caper Bush, Wild Caper-bush, Hedge Caper
National Status
Afrikaans: Kapkapper, Kapkappertjie, Kap-kappertjies, Langhaar-kapperbos, Wilde Lemoenboom, Wildekapperbos, Wilde-kapperbos, Wilde-lemoen, Heiningkapperbos, Boskapperbos
Xhosa: Imfishlo, Intshihlo, Upasimani, Uqapula
Zulu: Usondeza
Synonyms, misapplied or old scientific names: Capparis citrifolia, Capparis volkamerae, Capparis zeylanica var. subglabra, Capparis subglabra, Capparis micrantha, Capparis indica, Capparis oleoides, Capparis zeyheri
Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia, commonly known as Indian Caper or Bushy Caper-bush, is a scrambling, spiny evergreen or semi-deciduous shrub or small tree. It's often found forming dense, impenetrable thickets, adorned with its distinctive pale green leaves, clusters of sweetly scented, creamy-white flowers, and bright red, fleshy berries, making it a valuable plant for both wildlife and the environment.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Distinguishing features:
Dense, scrambling, and often spiny growth habit, forming thickets.
Leaves are distinctively pale green, somewhat leathery, and often have a lemon-like scent when crushed.
Paired, sharp, hook-shaped thorns in the leaf axils.
Clusters of fragrant, creamy-white flowers with numerous prominent stamens, giving them a 'powder puff' appearance.
Bright red, spherical, fleshy berries when ripe.
Overall appearance:
The Bushy Caper-bush (Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia) is a vigorous, scrambling evergreen or semi-deciduous shrub or small tree. It often grows as a dense, thorny thicket, characterised by its pale, slightly yellowish-green, somewhat leathery leaves, its delicate creamy-white, scented flowers resembling powder puffs, and its eye-catching clusters of bright red, round berries.
Height:
Typically grows 1 to 3 metres tall as a scrambling shrub, but can clamber up to 5 metres into supporting vegetation or grow as a small, upright tree up to 4 metres.
Width:
Can spread widely, forming dense, impenetrable thickets several metres across.
Leaves:
The leaves are alternate, simple, oval to elliptical, typically 2-6 cm long and 1-3 cm wide. They are distinctively pale green to yellowish-green, somewhat leathery, and often have a slight citrusy or lemon-like scent when crushed, hence 'citrifolia' in its name. The margins are entire (smooth). Leaves are usually evergreen but may be shed in very dry or cold conditions, making it semi-deciduous.
Flowers:
The flowers are attractive, creamy-white to pale yellow, about 1-2 cm in diameter. They have four petals and numerous long, prominent white to purplish stamens that give the flower a distinctive 'powder puff' or 'spider-like' appearance. They are sweetly scented and borne in dense, rounded clusters (axillary umbels or corymbs) along the stems. Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia flowers are hermaphroditic, containing both male and female reproductive parts.
Flowering season:
In South Africa, it primarily flowers from spring to summer (around September to March), often with multiple flushes after good rains.
Fruits:
The fruit is a small, spherical to oval, fleshy berry, about 0.8-1.5 cm in diameter. It ripens from green to a glossy bright red or orange-red, often splitting open to reveal orange pulp and seeds. The fruits are produced in abundance.
Seeds:
The seeds are small, dark, kidney-shaped, and embedded in the orange, fleshy pulp of the fruit. They are typically dispersed by birds.
Bark/Stems:
The bark is smooth and greyish-brown on older stems. Young stems are slender, greenish, and often zig-zagging, bearing prominent thorns. It has a scrambling, often intertwined growth habit.
Thorns:
Prominent and diagnostic. It has pairs of sharp, recurved (hook-shaped) thorns in the leaf axils along the stems, typically 0.5-1 cm long. These thorns are very effective at snagging.
Wood:
The wood is hard, dense, and pale. It is not typically used for large-scale timber due to the plant's growth habit but is used for smaller implements or as firewood.
Roots:
It has a well-developed, deep, and spreading root system, which helps it anchor firmly and makes it very drought-tolerant and useful for soil stabilisation.
Soil type:
Highly adaptable to a wide range of well-drained soils, including sandy, loamy, and rocky soils. It tolerates poor soil conditions and a range of pH levels. It is particularly tolerant of coastal conditions.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and very tolerant of wind, including coastal winds and salt spray. It is moderately frost-tolerant, especially mature plants, though younger growth may be affected by severe frost.
Ediblity:
The ripe red fruits are edible for humans, with a sweet, somewhat tart flavour, though the seeds are usually discarded. They are often enjoyed fresh.
Toxicity:
Considered non-toxic.
Uses:
An excellent plant for security hedging (due to its thorns), screens, windbreaks, and as a component of mixed indigenous thickets in gardens, especially in coastal and drier areas. Its dense growth provides good privacy. It is valuable for soil stabilisation on banks and in degraded areas. It is a vital plant for attracting birds and other wildlife with its flowers and fruits. The edible fruits are a bonus.
Ecology:
The fragrant flowers attract a wide range of insect pollinators, particularly bees, which are important for its reproduction. The bright red, fleshy fruits are a significant food source for numerous bird species (including bulbuls, starlings, and louries), which then disperse the seeds. Its dense, thorny growth provides excellent protective nesting sites and shelter for birds and small mammals, offering a safe haven from predators. It also acts as a larval host plant for several butterfly species, including the Common Scarlet Tip (Colotis danae) and the African Caper White (Belenois aurota).
Distribution and habitat:
Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia is widely distributed across the eastern and southern parts of South Africa, including the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, and Gauteng. It extends further north into Swaziland, Mozambique, and other tropical African countries. It typically grows in coastal bush, open woodlands, savannas, riverine thickets, and disturbed areas, often forming dense, impenetrable clumps.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Capparis is derived from the ancient Greek word "kapparis," which refers to the caper plant (Capparis spinosa), known for its edible flower buds.
The species name sepiaria is Latin for "of hedges" or "pertaining to hedges," referring to its habit of forming dense, thorny thickets or hedges.
The varietal name citrifolia means "citrus-leaved" in Latin, referring to the faint citrus-like scent of its crushed leaves, or their resemblance to citrus leaves.
Common names like "Bushy Caper-bush" or "Hedge Caper-bush" also refer to its growth habit and relation to the caper family.
Historical aspects:
As a common and robust indigenous plant, Capparis sepiaria var. citrifolia has long been a part of South Africa's natural landscape. Its thorny nature provided natural barriers and protection for early settlements and kraals. Indigenous communities would have known of its edible fruits and its value as a protective plant. Its resilience in harsh coastal and dry conditions, coupled with its ecological benefits (food and shelter for wildlife), continues to make it an important species in conservation and ecological gardening.
Interesting facts:
This plant is like nature's very own security system – it grows into super dense, thorny hedges that are perfect for keeping things safe!
Its flowers look like little white "powder puffs" or "spiders" because of all their long, delicate stamens.
The leaves sometimes smell a bit like lemons when you crush them, which is a cool surprise!
When the bright red fruits ripen, they're a favourite snack for birds, turning your garden into a bird-watching spot. Plus, you can even nibble on them if you dare!
Growing tips:
Propagation: Easily propagated from fresh seed, which should be cleaned of pulp and soaked overnight. Can also be grown from semi-hardwood cuttings.
Planting: Prefers full sun but tolerates partial shade. Plant in well-drained soil; it is very adaptable to various soil types, including sandy and poor soils.
Watering: Water regularly during its establishment phase (first year). Once established, it is highly drought-tolerant and needs minimal watering.
Frost Protection: Moderately frost-tolerant. It may become semi-deciduous in colder areas, but usually recovers well.
Maintenance: Low maintenance. Can be pruned to shape or to control its scrambling habit. It tolerates heavy pruning for hedging. Be cautious of the thorns when handling.
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Capparaceae (Greek plant name) - Order: Brassicales