Caper

A sub-shrub in the Capparaceae family, native from the Mediterranean to Western Asia. Brined or pickled flower buds are the culinary 'capers', used with smoked salmon, pasta, and meat dishes. Drought-hardy, growing in stone walls and rock crevices. Bears beautiful white to pale pink flowers with long radiating purple stamens. The Japanese name 'toge-fūchō-boku' refers to the thorns on its stems.

Identification Points

• ✓Small thorns on stems; prostrate to semi-erect habit
• ✓Thick round to elliptic alternate leaves
• ✓Flowers 5–7 cm across, white to pale pink, with many long purple stamens

Morphological TraitsAI-estimated, needs verification

Phylogenetic Positionフウチョウボク科 →