Seasiide Caper

Capparis cartilaginea ?

Seaside Caper, Capparis cartilaginea, Mombasa, Kenya, photo © by Michael Plagens

Photographed near Mombasa, Kenya. January 2012.

This scrambling shrub with thick, nearly orbicular leaves and somewhat succulent stems occurs in coastal areas from Kenya to Pakistan. The flowers are white to pink and have long showy stamens. Petals number 3 to 5 with the same number of sepals. The petals and sepals may be unequal in size. Some plants may have thorns.

The oblong superior fruit turns red on maturity.

Capparaceae -- Caper Family

More Information:


Kenya Natural History

Copyright Michael J. Plagens, page created on 18 November 2012.