Capparis spinosa L. subsp. rupestris (Sm.) Nyman

Spice In the field 1 In the field 2 In the field 3

Family: CAPPARACEAE

Genus: Capparis

Catalan common name: Taparera.

Spanish common name: Alcaparro/a.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands. Barcelona. Castelló. Girona. Lleida. Tarragona. València.

Distribution in the islands: Mallorca. Menorca. Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Nanophanerophyte.

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Cultivated species. Rock crevices and cliff faces. Rocky surfaces and dry stone walls. Old walls and cliff faces.

Characteristics: The caper is one of the most characteristic plants of the Mediterranean islands. It lives in the walls of ancient city walls and towers, and also in rocky, coastal cliff faces. It used to be cultivated for its flower buttons and unripe fruits, which were eaten pickled. The large flowers with white petals and lots of stamens which open in the summer are unmistakable.