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Capparaceae FAMILY

Capparis spinosa himalayensis

Capparis spinosa himalayensis

Edibility
3/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

Caper extracts and pulps have been used in cosmetics, but there have been cases reported of contact dermatitis and sensitivity from their use[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitEvergreen Shrub
Growth—

Capparis spinosa himalayensis is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Himalayas. It should tolerate some frost and is likely to succeed outdoors in the mildest regions of the temperate zone so long as the climate is not wet and the soil is very free-draining. Capers generally require a hot, well-drained dry position in full sun[2, 3, 4]. Plants can tolerate some frost so long as the ground is very well-drained. They generally dislike heavy soils[5]. Established plants are very tolerant of drought[4]. They prefer a pH in the range 6.5 - 7.5, tolerating 6 - 8.3[5].

Propagation

Caper seeds are miniscule and seedlings are very slow growing. The fresh seed germinates quickly, although germination rates are usually quite low[1]. Dried seed becomes dormant and notably difficult to germinate - pre-soak for 24 hours in warm water at around 40°c which is then allowed to cool. Then wrap them in a moist cloth, place them in a sealed glass jar and kept in the refrigerator for 2 - 3 months. After refrigeration, soak the seeds again in warm water overnight. Sow the seeds about 1cm deep in a loose well drained soil medium in a sunny position in a greenhouse[1]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots of well-drained soil when they are large enough to handle. Grow on the young plants for at least their first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid-summer in a sandy medium in a cold frame[3]. Use stems from the basal portions, greater than 1cm diameter and 8cm long with 6 - 10 buds. Use a loose, well drained media with bottom heat. A 70% rooting percentage would be considered good[1] Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Capparis+spinosa+himalayensis>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]New Crops FactSheets — Purdue University · http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/default.html ↩︎A website dedicated to giving information on potential new agricultural crops.
  2. [2]Perennials. Volumes 1 and 2. — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books · 1991 · ISBN 0-330-30936-9 ↩︎Photographs of over 3,000 species and cultivars of ornamental plants together with brief cultivation notes, details of habitat etc.
  3. [3]The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. — Huxley. A. · MacMillan Press · 1992 · ISBN 0-333-47494-5 ↩︎Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
  4. [4]Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 — Phillips. R. & Rix. M. · Pan Books, London. · 1998 · ISBN 0-330-37376-5 ↩︎Excellent photos of over 1,100 species and cultivars with habits and cultivation details plus a few plant uses. Many species are too tender for outdoors in Britain though there are many that can be grown outside.
  5. [5]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
  6. [6]A taxonomic revision of the Capparis spinosa group (Capparaceae) from eastern Africa to Oceania — Silvio Fici · 2015 · http://www.mapress.com/phytotaxa/ · ISBN 1179-3155 ↩︎