Caper
Capparis spinosa
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Caroline Is., Chad, China, Cook Is., Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Fiji, France, Greece, Gulf States, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Krym, Lebanon-Syria, Lesser Sunda Is., Libya, Marianas, Marshall Is., Morocco, Nauru, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Guinea, Niue, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Philippines, Pitcairn Is., Portugal, Samoa, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Sicilia, Sinai, Society Is., Solomon Is., Spain, Tadzhikistan, Tonga, Transcaucasus, Tuamotu, Tubuai Is., Tunisia, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Wallis-Futuna Is., Yemen
RuthP,Florian Prischl,C T Johansson,Meshari Alawfi,IssamBarhoumi,Amirh. absnd,Halenhardy,Halenhardy,Otto Wilhelm Thomé (1840-1925),Halenhardy,,Amirh. absnd
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Capparaceae
- Genus:
- Capparis
- Species:
- Capparis spinosa
- USDA Symbol:
- CASP28
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 100 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- white, pink
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from woody rootstock after fire or cutting; adapted to Mediterranean fire regimes.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rocky, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid, coastal regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 60–90 days
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 30–120 days
- Notes:
- Germination is erratic and slow; seeds benefit from scarification and warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Fresh seed germinates better than stored seed.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI