''Capparis lasiantha'' is an endemic

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

n plant with a range that extends from the

Kimberley Kimberly or Kimberley may refer to: Places and historical events Australia * Kimberley (Western Australia) ** Roman Catholic Diocese of Kimberley * Kimberley Warm Springs, Tasmania * Kimberley, Tasmania a small town * County of Kimberley, a ...

region through the

Northern Territory The Northern Territory (commonly abbreviated as NT; formally the Northern Territory of Australia) is an states and territories of Australia, Australian territory in the central and central northern regions of Australia. The Northern Territory ...

and

Queensland ) , nickname = Sunshine State , image_map = Queensland in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of Queensland in Australia , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , established_ ...

to northern

New South Wales ) , nickname = , image_map = New South Wales in Australia.svg , map_caption = Location of New South Wales in AustraliaCoordinates: , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name = Australia , established_title = Before federation , es ...

, primarily in drier inland areas although the species extends to the coast in Central Queensland. Common names are numerous and include wyjeelah, nepine, split jack, nipang creeper, nipan, native orange and bush caper.

Description

The seedlings and young plants begin life as climbing vines that cling to the host plants by means sharp spines on the stems. Some plants may retain this climbing form into maturity, while others go on to develop into a scrambling shrub up to in height. Mature plants produce large, white perfumed flowers which are followed by hard, ellipsoidal fruit up to 4 cm long. Upon ripening the fruit becomes soft and fragrant, eventually splitting to reveal a sweet, edible pulp surrounding the seed.

Taxonomy

Swiss botanist Augustin Pyramus de Candolle described ''Capparis lasiantha'' in his 1824 work ''

Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis ''Prodromus Systematis Naturalis Regni Vegetabilis'' (1824–1873), also known by its standard botanical abbreviation ''Prodr. (DC.)'', is a 17-volume treatise on botany initiated by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle. De Candolle intended it as a summa ...

'', and it still bears its original name. It was originally published by Robert Brown who did not give enough detail in his description to distinguish it from other species. This was later done by de Candolle, and hence the correct name is ''Capparis lasiantha'' R.Br. ex DC. with both botanists treated as authors.

Ecology and uses

Caterpillars of the caper white (''

Belenois java ''Belenois java'', the caper white or common white, is a small butterfly of the family Pieridae found in Australia, Indonesia, and Melanesia. It is highly migratory and is often confused with the cabbage white (''Pieris rapae''). Identification ...

'') feed on its leaves. ''Capparis lasiantha'' has been recorded as a host for the mistletoe species '' Lysiana subfalcata''. The fruit was used as food by Aboriginal people throughout its range. A concoction from the bark was used as a treatment for animal bites and stings in the Broome region. Farmers could use the leaves as fodder for livestock in periods of drought.

Cultivation

A drought tolerant plant, ''Capparis lasiantha'' can be grown in arid or subtropical gardens, its heavy flowering and edible fruit give it horticultural potential. It can be propagated by seed.

Gallery

File:Capparis lasiantha.jpg, Juvenile vine form attached to host with hooks File:Capparis lasiantha intermediate 1.jpg, Intermediate form scrambling over fence File:Capparis lasiantha R.Br. ex DC flower.jpg, Flower File:P2220014 Capparis lasiantha with fruit.jpg, Fruit - typical elongated ovoid File:P2220012 Capparis lasiantha - fruit.jpg, Fruit - typical elongated ovoid File:P2220015 Capparis lasiantha mature fruit that has split open.jpg, Fruit that has split open

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5036120 lasiantha Endemic flora of Australia Flora of Queensland Flora of New South Wales Flora of Western Australia Bushfood Australian Aboriginal bushcraft Rosids of Australia Desert fruits Drought-tolerant plants Taxa named by Augustin Pyramus de Candolle