Woolly Caper Bush – 5 Seeds

Woolly Caper Bush (Capparis tomentosa) is a spiny, much-branched shrub or small tree which can grow up to 6m high, with an upright trunk and climbing, pubescent branches. Leaves are elliptic, elliptic-oblong or ovate, 26–70 mm long and 13–80 mm wide, with tips usually round with a sharp point, light green to greyish green, soft and velvety. Hooked and sharp spines are found in the axils of the leaves. Flowers are fragrant with pale yellowish green petals, that surround a tuft of white or pink stamens, that grow up to 30 mm long. The flowers develop into red, globose, pendulous fruits. The fruits hang from a long stalk-like branch. They are up to 40 mm (50 mm) in diameter, shiny green at first, ripening to a orange or brownish color. The fruit contain many seeds embedded in a pinkish flesh.

It is an important medicinal plant in many indigenous communities throughout South Africa. The fruits are eaten by people. The plant is often planted as a barrier hedge. This plant is a good one bee-keepers to plant as the flowers attract honey bees.

Common names: woolly caper bush (Eng.), wollerige kapperbos, wag-‘n-bietjie (Afr.), inkunzi-ebomvu, iqwaningi, umqoqolo, ukhokhwana, umabusane (isiZulu), imfishlo, intshihlo, intsihlo, umpasimani (isiXhosa), gwambadzi, muoba-dali (Tshivenda), motawana (Setswana), nkawa (Xitsonga)

Woolly Caper Bush Medicinal Benefits

The roots play a vital role in sexual and reproductive health. They are used to cure HIV opportunistic infections, such as tuberculosis, Herpes zoster and Herpes simplex and chronic diarrhea. The roots are also used as an infusion to assist with sterility, threatened abortion, gonorrhea, syphilis and also to stop bleeding after childbirth. Powdered roots can also be applied to wounds, abscesses and snakebites. The smoke inhaled from burning powdered bark, can be used for bronchitis, chest pains and headaches.

Caution: Treatment should be taken in small quantities, as large doses can cause toxicity.

Growing Woolly Caper Bush

Indoor Sowing: Spring.

Direct Sowing: Spring.

• Soak the seed in water for 24 hours.
• Sow the seeds 30 mm deep into a potting medium, consisting of 1 part potting mix and 3 parts perlite.
• Cover the tray and place in a dry area.
• Water the medium daily and wait for the plants to germinate.
• When the plants have at least 4 leaves, transplant them into a pot containing the same germination medium.