Coast Caper / Thornless Caper
Origin of name
Family: CAPPARACEAE
- Capparis derived from greek “kapparis“
- lucida meaning “bright“
Occurrence
Grows locally in beach forest, vine thickets and monsoon forest.
Requires a sunny position in well-drained soil. Tolerates some salt-winds. Hardy, but responds to adequate watering.
Appearance
Spreading shrub/small tree (3-6m) bearing attractive white flowers, with very long stamens, from Jan-Mar, followed by round, purple-brown fruit (2-5cm).
Indigenous use: Fruit (food item). Caterpillars of the Caper White, Australian Gull, Pearl White & Chalk White butterflies, eat the leaves.
