Capparis micracantha DC.
Family
Capparaceae
Synonyms
C. odorata Blanco, C. myrioneura Hallier f.
Vernacular Names
| Malaysia | Kaju tuju. |
| Indonesia | Balung, kledung (Javanese), sanek (Madurese). |
| Philippines | Salimbagat (Tagalog), tarabtab (Iloko), salimomo (Bisaya). |
| Cambodia | Kanchoen bai dach. |
| Laos | Say sou. |
| Thailand | Chingchee (Central), kradaat khaao (Central), nuat maeo daeng (Northern) |
| Vietnam | b[uf]ng ch[ef], c[as]p gai nh[or]. |
Geographical Distributions
From Burma (Myanmar), Indo-China, Thailand and Peninsular Malaysia, to Indonesia and the Philippines.
Description
Capparis micracantha is a half-erect shrub or small tree with drooping branches. It is measure 1-6 m tall and rarely with a vine of measuring 2-4 m tall. The young branches are zigzag and hairless.
The leaves are oval to oblong-lance-shaped, with a size of measuring 9.5-20 cm x 3-11 cm, rounded base, variable apex, rarely acuminate, coriaceous, shining while the petiole is measure 0.7-1.5 cm long. The thorns are patent, straight or slightly curved, mesure 2-7 mm long and often absent on the flowering branches.
The flowers are 2-6 in a row while the pedicel is measure about 1 cm long. The ovate sepals are measuring 5.5-13 mm long while the petals are oblong or elliptical in shape, mesure 10-26 mm long, thin, white with yellow base but turn dark red later. Stamens are 20-45 with mesure 2.5-3 cm long filaments, white and with 15-35 mm long gynophores. The ovary and gynophore are sometimes abortive.
The berry is globular or ellipsoid in shape, measure 2-6 cm in diametre, with 4 longitudinal sutures, yellow, orange or red in colour and strongly smells when ripe.
The numerous seeds are whitish, slimy and sweet pulp.
Ecology / Cultivation
C. micracantha is found in brushwood, hedges and open forest, also along the seashore and in sandy locations, mostly below 500 m altitude.
Line Drawing / Photograph
References
- Plant Resources of South-East Asia No. 12 (2): Medicinal and poisonous plants.
