Brush Caper Berry / Noble Caper
Origin of name
Family: CAPPARACEAE
- Capparis derived from greek “kapparis“
- arborea meaning “tree-like“
Occurrence
A local plant of drier rainforest and beach scrub.
Hardy, but initially slow-growing. Prefers well-drained, acidic soil. Tolerates full sun, part-shade, some dryness and salt. Tip-prune regularly, from a young age, for a shrub.
Appearance
Scrambling shrub/small tree (2-5m) with paired, sharp spines on stem. Adults less spiky than juveniles. White, perfumed, long-stamened flowers (Jan-Mar) lead to round, green fruit (2-5cm) that ripen to yellow.
Indigenous use: Food – sweet, tasty pulp of ripe fruit. Caterpillars of Caper White and Common Pearl White butterflies eat the leaves. Fruits eaten by fruit-eating pigeons, fruit bats and possums. Impenetrable screen.
