Native caper (Capparis sandwichiana)

Description

Native caper fact file

• Description
• Biology
• Range
• Habitat
• Status
• Threats
• Conservation
• Find out more
• Glossary
• References
• Print factsheet

Native caper description

This native caper is a woody, sprawling shrub that starts growing along the ground but then becomes upright ⁽²⁾. The leaves are light green and oval-shaped and bear short, fine hairs when young, but are hairless when older ^{(2) (3)}. The solitary, white, lemon-fragranced flowers, which measure up to ten centimetres wide and ten centimetres tall, open after sunset ⁽²⁾. A profusion of long, delicate, white stamens protrude from the four large, white, orchid-like petals, endowing this flower with an ethereal beauty ⁽²⁾. At daybreak, the petals and stamen become tinged with pink and wilt, enhancing the plant’s enchanting allure ⁽²⁾.

Size

Stem height: 1 – 5 m ⁽²⁾

Leaf length: 2.4 – 6 cm ⁽²⁾

Fruit diameter: 5 – 6 cm ⁽²⁾

Native caper biology

The beautiful flowers of the native caper typically bloom in the spring and summer months ⁽⁴⁾, and are then pollinated by native moths which feed on the flowers’ nectar at night. Once the flowers are pollinated, small cucumber-like fruits, measuring five to six centimetres long, begin to develop. The fruit, which is filled with bright orange pulp and several small, brownish-black seeds, is fed upon by a number of bird species ⁽⁵⁾.

Interestingly, in the past the native caper was used as a medicine for broken bones ⁽⁶⁾, and milky sap from the plant was used with other ingredients to treat boils ⁽⁷⁾.

Native caper range

The native caper is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it occurs on the islands of Kauai, Kaho’olawe, Oahu, Ni’ihau, Molokai, Maui, Lanai and Hawaii, as well as the atolls of Midway, Pearl and Hermes, and Laysan ⁽¹⁾. While rare over most of its range, the native caper is said to be common along parts of the Kona coast on the island of Hawaii ⁽³⁾.

Native caper habitat

The native caper occurs in dry regions, most commonly in coastal areas, where it grows on lava rock, cliffs, emerged coral reefs, and in rocky ravines ⁽¹⁾.

Native caper status

Classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List ⁽¹⁾.

Native caper threats

The native caper has been adversely affected by many factors threatening the dry coastal areas it inhabits. This includes the development of coastal regions, the conversion of land for agriculture and ranching, and fire. Trampling and grazing by livestock and invasive alien plants are also threatening the survival of this species ⁽³⁾.

Native caper conservation

In August 2007, more than 800 native caper plants were planted in areas cleared of invasive weeds, such as kiawe (Prosopis pallida) and koa haole (Leucaena leucocephal), as part of a coastal restoration project. The team that undertook the work hope to return this site to the way it might have looked centuries ago ⁽⁸⁾. More areas need to be restored if future of this beautiful plant is to be secured ⁽⁸⁾.

Find out more

To learn more about conservation efforts in the Hawaiian Islands see:

• Hawaii Plant Extinction Prevention Program:
  http://hawaiipepp.blogspot.com
• Island Conservation:
  http://www.islandconservation.org/where/?id=28
• Hawai’i Wildlife Fund:
  http://wildhawaii.org

Authentication

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

This species information was authored as part of the ARKive and Universities Scheme.

Glossary

Atolls

Islands of coral reef that encircle a lagoon.

Endemic

A species or taxonomic group that is only found in one particular country or geographic area.

Pollinated

To transfer pollen grains from the stamen (male part of a flower) to the stigma (female part of a flower) of a flowering plant. This usually leads to fertilisation, the development of seeds and, eventually, a new plant.

Stamens

The male reproductive organs of a flower. Each stamen is comprised of an anther (the pollen-producing organ) and a filament (stalk).

References

1. IUCN Red List (May, 2010)
   http://www.iucnredlist.org
2. Martz, K. and Starr, F. (1999) Native Plant Propagation: Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge. Report prepared for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
3. NatureServe Explorer (May, 2010)
   http://www.natureserve.org/explorer
4. Culliney, J.L. and Koebele, B.P. (1999) A Native Hawaiian Garden: How to Grow and Care for Island Plants. University of Hawai’i Press, Hawai’i.
5. Barboza, R. (2005) Night bloomer reflects moonlight. Star Bulletin, 10(189): 1.
6. Offshore Islet Restoration Committee (May, 2010)
   http://www.hawaiioirc.org/OIRC-SPECIES-PLANTS.htm
7. Native Plants Hawai’i (May, 2010)
   http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Capparis_sandwichiana
8. Barboza, R. (2007) Maiapilo’s rare beauty is worth saving. Star Bulletin, 12(215): 1.