Capparis lasiantha

R.Br. ex DC.

Bush Caper

Capparaceae Edible: Fruit, Flowers 395 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Summary

Capparis lasiantha is an endemic Australian plant with a range that extends from the Kimberley region through the Northern Territory and Queensland to northern New South Wales, primarily in drier inland areas although the species extends to the coast in Central Queensland. Common names are numerous and include wyjeelah, nepine, split jack, nipang creeper, nipan, native orange and bush caper.

Description

A small shrub. It grows 1-2 m tall. It scrambles over other plants. The stems are zigzag in shape. There are a pair of backward curving spines at each angle along the stem. The leaves are oblong and blunt. They are thick and leathery. They are 2-5 cm long by 1-1.5 cm wide. The flowers are white or cream and fluffy. The flowers are 1.5-2 cm across. The occur either singly or in pairs in the axils of leaves. They have a sweet smell. The fruit is an orange berry 3-4 cm long. It is oval shaped and contains many seeds. It is edible.

Edible Uses

Both the fruit and flowers are edible.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows in inland areas in Australia. It is very drought resistant. It can also grow in monsoon forest. In tropical Queensland it grows from sea level to 600 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed or cuttings.

Notes

There are about 250 Capparis species. There are about 50 Capparis species in tropical America.

Nutrition

Part	Moisture	kJ	kcal	Protein	Vit A	Vit C	Iron	Zinc
Fruit	54.1	655	157	10.1	—	6	1.2	0.9
Flowers	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Synonyms

Capparis lasiantha var. citricarpa DominCapparis lasiantha var. normalisCapparis lasiantha var. rhombifolia Domin

Also Known As

Alurra, Babingi, Barigan, Guwiibirr, Jilpukarri, Nepine, Ngaybaan, Nipand, Pampilyi, Split-jack, Thulla-kurbin, Wild Orange, Wait-a-while, Wyjeelah

References (34)

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Anon., 2003, Native Plants for the Fitzroy basin. Society for Growing Australian Plants Inc. (Rockhampton Branch)
Bailey, F. M., 1913, Comprehensive Catalogue of Queensland Plants. Queensland Government. p 36
Bindon, P., 1996, Useful Bush Plants. Western Australian Museum. p 69
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 211

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