Capparis spinosa var. nummularia – Coastal Caper
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- Capparis spinosa nummularia – native caper
Picture provided by Philip Clarke, from his new book Discovering Aboriginal Plant Use: Journeys of an Australian Anthropologist
This is a great bush tucker plant, growing to a medium sized dense shrub, and also can be grown as an ornamental, being a handsome plant although best suited to tropical and coastal areas of Northern Australia. Grows naturally around the coast and inland along rivers and creeks in rocky soils in WA, NT and QLD.
This is a native Australian relative of the well-known caper bush, the ripe fruits are delicious and the flower buds can also be pickled. The large white flowers have a delicate scent as well. The plant is butterfly attracting. The fruit is ripe when it turns orange and the skin begins to split.
Likes water during dry times of year. Sensitive to frost.
| Family: | Capparaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Capparis spinosa var. nummularia |
| Common Name: | Coastal Caper |
| Other Common Names: | Wild Passionfruit |
| Plant Type: | Small shrub, Large shrub |
| Height: | 1 ~ 2 metre |
| Width: | 1 ~ 1.5 metre |
| Flower Colour: | White, Cream |
| Flowering Time: | All year |
| Ph Level: | Neutral |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Sandy loam, Poor soil |
| Plant Environment: | Low maintenance garden, Container growing, Flower garden, Coastal garden, Drought resistant |
| Climate Zone: | Tropical, Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Semi-arid, Arid |
| Light: | Sunny |
| Planting Season: | Spring |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Dense foliage |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Threats: | White caper caterpillars |
| Soil Moisture: | Dry, Well-drained |
| Propagation Method: | Seed, Semihardwood cutting |
| Frost Tolerance: | Tolerates light frost |
| Plant Usage: | Fragrant |
| Special Features: | Edible, Erosion control |
| Attracts Wildlife: | Butterflies |
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WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that looks right for you, the next step is where to buy it.
Most nurseries stock a good range of plants, but due to space and supplies, they may not always have the plant that you are searching for in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you if you request it.
Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you have planned on, they can often suggest alternatives that will also work well for you.
Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Harvest Seeds And Native Plant Nursery – Sydney – NSW
Native Grace Nursery – Robertson NSW
Wariapendi Nursery – Colo Vale NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Forest Heart eco-Nursery – Maleny Queensland
Natives R Us – Traveston – Queensland
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
MAIL ORDER NURSERIES –
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.