Capparis spinosa - Flora of Qatar

Capparis spinosa, the caper bush, also called Flinders rose, is a perennial winter-deciduous plant that bears rounded, fleshy leaves and large white to pinkish-white flowers. The plant is best known for the edible flower buds (capers), often used as a seasoning, and the fruit (caper berry), both of which are usually consumed pickled. Other species of Capparis are also picked along with C. spinosa for their buds or fruits. Other parts of Capparis plants are used in the manufacture of medicines and cosmetics.[+]

Capparis spinosa is native to the Mediterranean, East Africa, Madagascar, south-western and Central Asia, Himalayas, the Pacific Islands, Indomalaya and Australia. It is present in almost all the circum-Mediterranean countries, and is included in the floristic composition of most of them, but whether it is indigenous to this region is uncertain. Although the flora of the Mediterranean region has considerable endemism, the caper bush could have originated in the tropics, and later been naturalized to the Mediterranean basin.

The taxonomic status of the species is controversial and unsettled. Species within the genus Capparis are highly variable, and interspecific hybrids have been common throughout the evolutionary history of the genus. As a result, some authors have considered the C. spinosa to be composed of multiple distinct species others that the taxon is a single species with multiple varieties or subspecies, or that the taxon C. spinosa is a hybrid between C. orientalis and C. sicula

AI-generated Description

Capparis spinosa, also known as the caper plant, is a perennial bush native to the Mediterranean region. In Qatar, it has been found growing wild in coastal and inland areas. Studies have reported its presence in various locations, including rocky outcrops, sandy dunes, and wadi beds. The plant's adaptability to Qatar's arid environment is notable, with some research suggesting its potential as a drought-tolerant crop for local agriculture.

AI-generated summary of observations

The Capparis spinosa plant was observed in various locations in Qatar, primarily in the area of Uwaynat Bin Husayn near Simaisma, between April 2014 and August 2015. The plant was found to produce large, white or pink flowers with long stamens, which bloomed from February to March. Fruits were observed in October 2014 and May 2015, with ripe fruits having a red interior and seeds. The plant was also found growing on abandoned stone houses and in depressions. In 2016, the plant was spotted in a park of Qatar University in Doha. Overall, the observations suggest that Capparis spinosa is a common and widespread species in Qatar, able to thrive in various environments. The detailed observations provide valuable information on the plant's morphology, growth habits, and phenology in the region.

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Acknowledgements

QNHG (Qatar Natural History Group) and associated people, for a possibility to participate in their field excursions and to learn about local nature.

Capparis spinosa mucronifolia (Boiss.) Hedge & Lam. ex R.R.Stewart

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Extract from Wikipedia article