Common Name Jamaica Caper

Latin Name Capparis cynophallophora L.

Family Capparaceae

Zone 10A, 10B, 11

Height Small shrub up to 20 Feet

Spread 8-10 Feet

Salt Water Tolerance Low

Salt Wind Tolerance High

Drought Tolerance High

Soil Moist, well-drained limestone or sandy soils, with humusy top layer

Sun Full sun to light shade

Wildlife Attractant Larval host plant for Florida White Butterflies

Roger L. Hammer, source

Jamaica Caper Capparis cynophallophora L 

Main Uses

The Jamaica Caper can be used as accent or specimen trees, as well as an informal hedge.

Appearance

This unique plant, the Jamaica Caper, offers a wonderfully fragrant white bloom, of which turns pink within hours of opening.  The flowers are mostly composed of long stamens, looking almost as if they are bursting firecrackers.  Their smell is so sweet that it will emanate throughout your garden.

The Jamaica Caper fruit also lends to its uniqueness in that they are composed of 4-6" long brown seed pods.  Once they split open, they reveal a beautiful red interior of which holds shiny brown seeds.  

Its bloom season spans from April through August, and can be found in coastal hammocks of southern Florida and tropical America.

Wildlife Attractant

Attracts Florida White Butterflies, and acts as a food source and covering for wildlife