Capparis L.

• Authority

  Britton, Nathaniel L. & Millspaugh, Charles F. 1920. The Bahama Flora.

• Family

  Capparaceae

• Scientific Name

  Capparis L.

• Description

  Description - Trees or shrubs, with simple, mostly coriaceous leaves, sometimes stipulate on young or barren shoots, and large corymbose, mostly white flowers. Sepals 4, distinct or partly united, often with a gland at the base. Petals 4, distinct, imbricated. Stamens several or usually many, the filaments filiform, the anthers short. Ovary stalked, 1-4-celled; ovules few or many, usually on 2 parietal placentae; style none; stigma depressed. Fruit elongated-linear, or oblong, or short and subglobose, indehiscent, or irregularly rupturing. Seeds without endosperm; embryo convolute; cotyledons fleshy. [From the Greek name of the Caper-tree, Capparis spinosa L., of Europe.] About 150 species, natives of tropical and subtropical regions. Type species: Capparis spinosa L.