Capparis spinosa subsp. rupestris
Jekkapedia
Capparis spinosa subsp. rupestris, Spineless caper (Previously known as Capparis spinosa var. inermis)
Family: Capparaceae
Genus: Capparis
Masses of edible green buds followed by solitary pinkish white four petalled flowers with long pink/purple stamen from early summer until autumn. Oval, mid green with a hint of brown, leaves. This caper lacks the stipular spines. Culinary; flower buds and seed pods can be pickled. The leaves are used in salads and with fish dishes.
Characteristics:
• Hardiness: H3 (1 to -5C)
• Type: Evergreen Shrub
• Height: up to 90cm
• Spread: up to 1.2m
Caper can be seen at the herb farm in Jekka’s Herbetum and is available to buy as herb plants.
Details
• Aspect: Full Sun
• Soil type: Sand, Loam, Free Draining
• pH: Neutral – Alkaline pH
• Habit: Bushy, Prostrate
• Flowering colour: White
• Flowering time: Summer
• Uses: Culinary & Medicinal (Read Jekka’s Guide To Culinary Herbs and Medicinal Herbs for more information)
• Attracts pollinators: Yes (Read Jekka’s Guide to Pollinators for more information)
• Container suitability: Yes
• UK native: No
• Caution: Beware this plant has sharp spikes.
Growing
• Grown from seed: No
• Propagation: Cuttings
• Maintenance: (See Jekka’s Blogs on Early Spring, Late Spring, Summer and Autumn maintenance)
• Harvest: N/A
Available as
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