Capparis canescens

Banks ex DC.

Wild orange, Wild pomegranate, Orangewood, Grey capparis

Capparaceae Edible: Fruit, Seeds 260 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Capparis canescens, also known as wild orange, orangewood, native pomegranate, wild pomegranate or grey capparis, is a species of plant in the caper family. It is native to north-eastern Australia.

Description

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.

Edible Uses

Both the fruit and seeds are edible. Almost-ripe fruit are traditionally picked and buried for a day to ripen, which makes them sweeter before eating.

Traditional Uses

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

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

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.