Botanical Family · Brassicales

Capparaceae

Caper Family

31 speciesOrder Brassicales8+ well-known plants

The caper family of trees, shrubs, and climbers characteristic of dry, arid, and rocky habitats. Capers (Capparis spinosa) are the pickled flower buds widely used in Mediterranean cuisine. Most members have 4 petals, long protruding stamens, and a gynophore (stalk below the ovary).

Browse all 31 species ↓

Representative specimen · Capparaceae

How to recognise the Capparaceae family

01
Long exserted stamens, conspicuous gynophore
02
4 petals, often with long claws
03
Adapted to dry, rocky, or saline habitats

Typical leaf characters

ArrangementAlternate
TypeSimple
MarginEntire
VenationPinnate

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Typical flower & fruit

Flower symmetryRadial
InflorescenceRaceme
FruitCapsule

Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.

Notable members

Indian CadabaCadaba fruticosaThree-Leaf CadabaCadaba trifoliataIndian CaperCapparis brevispinaCaper PlantCapparis deciduaSpreading CaperCapparis divaricataLarge-Petal CaperCapparis grandifloraTree CaperCapparis grandisLarge CaperCapparis moonii

All 31 species in CAPPARACEAE

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