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Capparis cartilaginea

Scientific Name: Capparis cartilaginea

Family: Capparaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Capparis cartilaginea: A Scrambling Shrub

Capparis cartilaginea, also known as Cartilage Caper or Shafallah (among other vernacular names like Lasaf), is a small, scrubby tree known for its scrambling growth habit.

Considerations for Pets

  • The plant is described as a scrambling shrub, which may suggest a dense or tangled growth habit.

Considerations for Children

  • The plant is described as a scrambling shrub, which may suggest a dense or tangled growth habit.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Capparis cartilaginea Decne.
  • Family: Capparaceae (sometimes included in Brassicaceae in older classifications).
  • Order: Brassicales (Mustards and Allies)
  • Synonyms:
    • Capparis antanossarum Baill.
    • Capparis galeata Fresen.
    • Capparis spinosa subsp. cartilaginea (Decne.) Maire et Weiller

Morphology and Growth Habits

  • Capparis cartilaginea is a scrambling shrub that can grow up to 3 meters tall.
  • It has long, hairless stems, typically bent, which allow it to spread or scramble over rocks.
  • Young twigs are densely covered with short, appressed hairs.
  • Leaf-blades are ovate-elliptic, typically 2.5–5(–6) x 1.4–4.5 cm, and are thick or leathery.

Distribution and Habitat

  • This species grows in harsh terrain such as deserts and hilltops.
  • It has been found in Egypt (Sinai Peninsula), East Africa (Kenya), and India (Gujarat State).

Traditional Uses

  • In Kenya (Marakwet), it is locally known as Chepteretwa and has been used for treating eye infections and indigestion.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • The plant is known to produce glucosiolates and rutin.
  • Fruit and leaf extracts have demonstrated larvicidal activity.

Other Noteworthy Information

  • An ethanolic extract of Capparis cartilaginea has been shown to cause a dose-dependent fall in blood pressure and heart rate in studies.
  • Micropropagation has been used to propagate this plant, which is normally difficult to propagate.

Resources and Further Information

  • Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Herbarium (K): Herbarium specimens are available for review.
  • Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS): Provides taxonomic information (TSN 823024).
  • Prelude Medicinal Plants Database checklist
  • ICRAF Databases: Links available through switchboard@cgiar.org.