Capparis zeylanica

Ceylon caper, Indian caper

Capparaceae Edible: Fruit, Flowers, Seeds 621 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Capparis zeylanica is a climbing shrub common in the forests of the Indian subcontinent, Indo-China, China and Malesia; no subspecies are listed in the Catalogue of Life. Several species of Lepidopteran larvae feed on its leaves.

Description

A climber or shrub. It grows 2-5 m tall. The small branches zigzag. There are thorns that curve backwards. These are 3-6 mm long. A vine with alternate leaves. The leaves are hairy, with pointed tips and rounded base. The flowers are fairly large and pink turning to purple. The fruit are berries that are red then black. They can be 5 cm long by 4 cm wide. They have a woody skin. There are many seeds. These are in a fleshy pulp.

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit are pickled after being soaked overnight and boiled; they are bitter and must be processed before eating. Young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable despite being somewhat bitter. The seeds from ripe fruit are eaten roasted.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are made into pickles. The fruit are bitter. They are soaked overnight and boiled in water. Young fruit are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The flowers are eaten as a vegetable. They are somewhat bitter. The seeds of the ripe fruit are eaten roasted.

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are employed as a counter-irritant, and are made into a poultice for treating boils, swellings and haemorrhoids. They are also used to reduce perspiration and to improve the appetite. A decoction of the root-bark is used as a remedy for vomiting and to improve the appetite.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It grows near the foothills of the Himalayas up to 800 m altitude. It grows in dry deciduous forest. In the Philippines reported only from Luzon and Mindanao.

Where It Grows

Asia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Philippines, SE Asia, Sri Lanka*, Thailand, Vietnam,

Cultivation

Plants can be raised from seed.

Production

In China it flowers in February to April and fruits in July.

Notes

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

Synonyms

Capparis horrida L.f.Capparis latifolia Craib

Also Known As

Aathandai, Adonda, Adonda teega, Adondai, Ardanda, Asadua, Asaria, Bagh mukhwa, Bagnai, Baralauik, Cap tichlan, Cap tieh pan, Gai den, Gitoran, Gobindaphal, Govindi, Govind-phal, Halubagat-baging, Halubagat, His, Kaathatikaai, Kalookra, Karaluwa, Karambha, Karvila, Kevisi, Kolokera, Mai-nam-lawt, Mani-thani-yet, Mari punp, Melada, Nah-ma-nee-tanyet, Nwamani-than-lyet, Orkali, Rook saa, Sa-rae, Suduthoratti, Tarabtab, Thaolang-makkep, Toratti, Tottula, Vaghati, Wagat, Waghata, Waghati, Waghoti, Waghutale, Walakenaru, Yieokai

References (47)

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