Herbarium JCB

Capparis zeylanica L.

Family : CAPPARACEAE
(CAPER FAMILY)
Family (as per The Plant List) : Capparaceae
Species : Capparis zeylanica
Species Name (as per The Plant List) : Capparis zeylanica L.
Common name : Ceylon Caper
Vernacular name : Ardanda, Govindphal (Hin.); Govinda phala, Anthuntikai, Mullu anthudi, Kaayi balli, Thottalu balli (Kan.); Ekkathari, Suduthorati, Aadandai, Morundan (Tam.); Aatonda, Aadonda (Tel.); Asadua, Osirva, Hatinkula, Sabbi (Ori.); Vyagranakhi (San.)
Key identification features : A much-branched climbing shrub. Leaves are rough in texture, broadly lanceolate with short, curved spines on either side of the leaf base. Flowers (about 3.5 cm across) are extra-axillary with 4 greenish-white petals. Stamens are numerous, white in a freshly-opened flower, turning pink later. Fruits are ovoid berries, bright scarlet with many seeds.
Habit : Climbing Shrub
Flower, Fruit : January-October
Comments : Common in scrub and dry deciduous forests of Eastern Ghats. Roots are used in native medicine. Fruits are edible and often pickled.
Conservation Status : Not Evaluated (NE)
Distribution Locality : Throughout Eastern Ghats
World Distribution : India, Andaman & Nicobar (India), Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Hainan, China, Indo-China, Malesia
Literature : Pullaiah et al., 2002 - Flora of Eastern Ghats Vol. 1; J.L.Ellis, 1987- Flora of Nallamalais Vol. 1; H.O. Saxena & M. Brahmam, 1994- Flora of Orissa Vol. 1 ; R. S. Rao et al., 1986 - Flora of West Godavari District ; R. S. Rao and S. H. Sreeramulu, 1986 - Flora of Srikakulam District; N.P.Singh, 1988. Flora of Eastern Karnataka; Matthew, K.M., The Flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic, Vol.3 (1). Diocesan Press, Madras. 1983.
Citation : Sankara Rao, K., Arun Singh R., Deepak Kumar, Raja K Swamy and Navendu Page (2016). Digital Flora of Eastern Ghats. http://easternghats.ces.iisc.ernet.in/plants.php?name=Capparis zeylanica. Downloaded on 31 January 2025.