Wild Promegranate
Origin of name
Family: CAPPARACEAE
- Capparis derived from greek “kapparis“
- canescens meaning “becoming grey”
Occurrence
A local plant of beach forest, vine thickets and open eucalypt forest.
Prefers full sun and good drainage. Tolerates a range of soil types. Very drought hardy but responds to watering.
Appearance
Straggly shrub/small tree (2-4m) with ribbed flower buds, stiff leathery leaves & curved prickles on branches & trunk. Showy, white, long-stamened flowers (Jan-Aug) lead to round fruit (2-7.5cm), ribbed towards base.
Fruit pulp is bush tucker. Mature plants not as spiny as juveniles. Larvae of Caper Gull, Yellow Albatross, Caper White and Pearl White butterflies eat the leaves.
Image coming soon