Friday 17 May
Capparis (Capparis cartilaginea)
Capparis fact file
- Description
- Biology
- Range
- Habitat
- Status
- Threats
- Conservation
- Find out more
- Glossary
- References
- Print factsheet
Capparis description
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Capparales |
| Family | Capparaceae |
| Genus | Capparis (1) |
Capparis cartilaginea is a small, scrubby tree which grows by spreading or ‘scrambling’ over rocks. It has long, hairless stems which are typically bent and twisted, with white-grey or yellowish-green bark, coated in a waxy or powdery bloom. The oval-shaped leaves of Capparis cartilaginea are broad and fleshy, often ending in a hooked, yellowish-brown spine below the pointed tip. During the flowering period, Capparis cartilaginea produces large, attractive white flowers which possess many erect stamens and unequally shaped petals, two of which are fused and slightly hooded, fitting into a helmet-shaped sepal (2) (3) (4).
- Size
- Height: 0.5 – 4 m (2)
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Related species
Capparis biology
Capparis cartilaginea is a perennial species that usually flowers around February and March (5). It produces rounded, ribbed, red-coloured fruits packed with numerous small seeds, which are eaten and dispersed by birds (3) (4) (7).
The fruits of Capparis cartilaginea can be dried and pickled in vinegar, or preserved in salt to produce capers for consumption (8).
TopCapparis range
Capparis cartilaginea is found in north and east Africa, the Middle East and southwest Asia, including Afghanistan, Israel, Iran, Iraq, India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates (3) (4).
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Species with a similar range
Capparis habitat
Capparis cartilaginea is a primarily coastal species, found among rocks on hillsides, cliffs and mountain slopes below 2,000 metres (3) (5) (6).
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Species found in a similar habitat
Capparis status
Capparis cartilaginea has yet to be classified by the IUCN.
TopCapparis conservation
There are no known threats to Capparis cartilaginea.
|
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is a principal sponsor of ARKive. EAD is working to protect and conserve the environment as well as promoting sustainable development in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. |
Find out more
There are no known conservation measures in place for Capparis cartilaginea.
TopAuthentication
This information is awaiting authentication by a species expert, and will be updated as soon as possible. If you are able to help please contact:
arkive@wildscreen.org.uk
Glossary
- Perennial
- A plant that normally lives for more than two seasons. After an initial period, the plant produces flowers once a year.
- Sepal
- A floral leaf (collectively comprising the calyx of the flower) that forms the protective outer layer of a flower bud.
- Stamens
- The male reproductive organs of a flower. Each stamen is comprised of an anther (the pollen-producing organ) and a filament (stalk).
References
-
IPNI (November, 2010)
http://www.ipni.org/ - Elffers, J., Graham, R.A. and DeWolf, G.P. (1964) Capparidaceae. In: Flora of Tropical East Africa. Crown Agents for Oversea Governments and Administrations, London.
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Flora of Pakistan (November, 2010)
http://www.efloras.org/ - Rivera, D., Friis, I., Inocencio, C., Obón, C., Alcaraz, F. and Reales, A. (2003) The typification of Capparis inermis Forssk., C. sinaica Veill. and C. cartilaginea Decne. (Capparaceae). Taxon, 52: 307-311.
- Fawzi, N.M. (2008) An Introduction in the Flora of the United Arab Emirates. Faculty of Science, Biology Department, National Herbarium, United Arab Emirates.
-
African Plant Database (November, 2010)
http://www.ville-ge.ch/musinfo/bd/cjb/africa/recherche.php - Wickens, G.E. (1979) The propagules of the terrestrial flora of the Aldabra archipelago, western Indian Ocean. Atoll Research Bulletin, 229: 1-40.
- Rivera, D., Friis, I., Inocencio, C., Obón, C., Reales, A. and Alcaraz, F. (2002) Archaeobotany of capers (Capparis) (Capparaceae). Vegetation History and Archaeobotany, 11: 295-313.
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This species is featured in:
This species is featured in Jewels of the UAE, which showcases biodiversity found in the United Arab Emirates in association with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi.
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Image credit
Capparis cartilaginea flower, opening
© Mitsuko SHINGAI
Mitsuko Shingai
http://yemen.way-nifty.com/blog/
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