Capparis tomentosa (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Fruit
Vegetable
Medicinal
Timber
Fuel
Forage / feed
Auxiliary plant
Food security
Climate change

Capparis tomentosa Lam.

distribution in Africa (wild)

1, tree habit; 2, flowering branch; 3, fruit. Redrawn and adapted by J.M. de Vries

Protologue: Encycl. 1(2): 606 (1785).

Family: Capparaceae

Synonyms

• Capparis polymorpha A.Rich. (1831).

Vernacular names

• Woolly caper-bush, African caper (En).
• Câprier de brousse, câprier d’Afrique (Fr).
• Mbada paka (Sw).

Origin and geographic distribution

Capparis tomentosa is widespread, from Mauritania, Senegal and Gambia eastward to Eritrea and Ethiopia, and southward to north-eastern South Africa and Swaziland. It also occurs in southern Arabia.

Uses

Although various plant parts of Capparis tomentosa have been reported to be toxic, particularly the roots, they are widely used in traditional medicine throughout the distribution area of the species. Root powder and root decoctions are taken to treat rheumatism, colds, cough, tuberculosis, apoplexy, stomach complaints, diarrhoea, rectal prolapse, schistosomiasis, gonorrhoea, syphilis, leprosy, endometritis, menorrhagia, sterility and threatened abortion, and as anodyne, diuretic, anthelmintic and poison antidote. Grounded or powdered roots are applied to wounds, swellings, abscesses and snakebites, and to treat headache, migraine, skin diseases and eye complaints including conjunctivitis, ophthalmia and cataract. Root decoctions are added to baths against haemorrhoids. The smoke of burning bark powder is inhaled to treat tuberculosis, bronchitis and chest pain. Leaf decoctions are applied to treat skin diseases and wounds, and are taken to treat hepatitis, malaria, convulsions, angina, venereal diseases, asthma and leprosy. Root macerations are given to cattle to treat diarrhoea, whereas a paste made of root ash is applied to udder inflammations. The roots have been used in the preparation of arrow poison and in meat to poison animals. Capparis tomentosa is one of the best known woody species with magico-medicinal properties, and it is commonly used in ritual ceremonies.

It has been reported that the leaves are eaten as a vegetable after cooking in times of food shortage. The foliage is browsed by camels and goats, although it has been recorded as toxic to most livestock. The fruit has been reported to be edible and even popular with children, but also to be poisonous to man and many animals. The press-cake made from the seeds is fed to cattle. Stems and branches are used as firewood. Cut branches are sometimes planted to make life fences. It is also a decorative plant for gardens.

Production and international trade

Different plant parts of Capparis tomentosa are sold in local markets.

Properties

Alkaloids, saponins and tannins are present in all plant parts but in varying amounts. The alkaloids L-stachydrine and 3-hydroxy-4-methoxy-3-methyl-oxindole have been isolated from the roots; the latter compound showed weak antispasmodic activity. The phytosterol 24-ethylcholestan-5-en-3-ol and the dipeptide derivative N-benzoylphenylalanylaninol acetate have also been isolated from the roots.

Leaf extracts showed pronounced activity against Coxsackie virus. Extracts of the aerial parts of Capparis tomentosa exhibited significant in-vitro antimicrobial activity against the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus, having stronger activity than the reference drug ampicillin, and against the fungi Aspergillus flavus and Candida albicans, comparable to griseofulvin.

The roots are known to be toxic, but contradictory reports exist on the foliage and fruits. Poisoning of donkeys after browsing Capparis tomentosa plants has been reported in northern Kenya, and poisoning of cattle, sheep, goats and camels in Sudan, resulting in hydrothorax, hydropericardium and ascites. A mixture of leaves and fruits was toxic for camels at a daily dose of 5 g per kg body weight. Sheep and zebu calves fed with dry leaves developed weakness of the limbs, staggering and loss of appetite and finally died. On the other hand, overbrowsing of Capparis tomentosa by goats has been reported near human settlements in Uganda without adverse effects, and in Tanzania Capparis tomentosa has been recorded as one of the favourite browse species for zebu cattle. Fatal accidents have been reported for some patients who had taken medicines based on Capparis tomentosa roots.

Seeds contain about 29% oil, consisting of 29% oleic acid, 26% linoleic acid, 23% palmitic acid and 21% stearic acid.

Description

Evergreen, strongly branched, spiny shrub or small tree up to 5(–10) m tall, often with scandent stems up to 8 m long; bark surface scaly, grey to grey-brown; twigs hairy. Leaves arranged spirally, simple and entire; stipules developing into paired recurved spines up to 6(–10) mm long; petiole 0.5–1(–2) cm long, jointed at base; blade elliptical to oblong-ovate, (2–)3–6.5 (–10.5) cm × 1–4.5(–5.5) cm, base usually rounded, apex obtuse to rounded or slightly notched, papery to leathery, hairy but often becoming glabrous, pinnately veined with 5–7(–13) pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence a short terminal raceme, often umbel-like, up to 3 cm long, short-hairy, up to 15-flowered, sometimes flowers solitary in upper leaf axils. Flowers bisexual, slightly zygomorphic, 4-merous; pedicel 1.5–3.5(–5) cm long; sepals free, boat-shaped, 8–13 mm long, leathery, unequal; petals free, obovate, nearly equal, 1.5–2.5 cm long, yellowish white to greenish white; stamens many, free, 3–4 cm long, whitish to pinkish; ovary superior, long-stalked, ovoid to broadly ellipsoid, glabrous, 1-celled, stigma small, sessile, flattened. Fruit a distinctly stalked, globose berry 1.5–4.5(–6) cm in diameter, smooth, orange-red to brownish red, with juicy to slightly corky, whitish to pinkish pulp, many-seeded. Seeds ovoid to kidney-shaped, 1–1.5 cm long, compressed, dark brown.

Other botanical information

Capparis has been considered to comprise approximately 250 species and to occur in all tropical and subtropical regions. However, the genus was found to be polyphyletic, and most species from tropical America have been transferred to separate genera. About 12 species are found in mainland tropical Africa.

Growth and development

The scandent stems climb in other shrubs and trees, and although Capparis tomentosa can develop into a large shrub or even small tree, it usually needs support of other woody species. Flowers open in the morning and start fading at the beginning of the afternoon. In West Africa Capparis tomentosa usually flowers in the second half of the dry season and in Cameroon it can be found flowering and fruiting throughout the year, although it flowers most abundantly in the rainy season from April to October. In Ethiopia flowering plants have also been reported nearly year-round. In southern Africa it flowers in August–November. Fruits ripen about 4 months after flowering. Capparis tomentosa is an important browse species for wild large herbivores, including antelopes, giraffe, buffalo, rhinoceros and elephant.

Ecology

Capparis tomentosa occurs in deciduous bushland and wooded savanna, often on termite mounds, in East Africa up to 2500 m altitude. The mean annual rainfall in its area of distribution is 300–1250 mm. It can be dominant in scrub vegetation and thickets, particularly in secondary vegetation.

Propagation and planting

Capparis tomentosa is often propagated by planting wildlings, but also by cuttings.

Management

The shrubs or trees can be coppiced and lopped. It has been reported that Capparis tomentosa can become a serious weed.

Diseases and pests

In Uganda larvae of the butterfly Belenois aurota may cause serious damage to the foliage of Capparis tomentosa.

Genetic resources

Capparis tomentosa is widespread, in many areas common and occurs in various habitats. Therefore it is not threatened by genetic erosion.

Prospects

In spite of its wide application in traditional medicine, little is known about the phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of Capparis tomentosa. Preliminary screening showed pronounced antimicrobial activity, which warrants more detailed studies. The reports on the toxicity of various plant parts are contradictory, and more research is needed before methods for safe usage as medicine, forage and food plant can be recommended.

Major references

• Arbonnier, M., 2004. Trees, shrubs and lianas of West African dry zones. CIRAD, Margraf Publishers Gmbh, MNHN, Paris, France. 573 pp.
• Bekele-Tesemma, A., 2007. Useful trees and shrubs for Ethiopia: identification, propagation and management for 17 agroclimatic zones. Technical Manual No 6. RELMA in ICRAF Project, Nairobi, Kenya. 552 pp.
• Burkill, H.M., 1985. The useful plants of West Tropical Africa. 2nd Edition. Volume 1, Families A–D. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 960 pp.
• Chilufya, H. & Tengnäs, B., 1996. Agroforestry extension manual for northern Zambia. Regional Soil Conservation Unit, Nairobi, Kenya. 120 + 124 pp.
• Janick, J. & Paull, R.E. (Editors), 2006. Encyclopedia of fruit and nuts. CABI, Wallingford, United Kingdom. 954 pp.
• Kers, L.E., 1986. Capparidaceae. Flore du Cameroun. Volume 29. Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, Paris, France. 141 pp.
• Neuwinger, H.D., 1998. Afrikanische Arzneipflanzen und Jagdgifte. Chemie, Pharmakologie, Toxikologie. 2nd Edition. Wissenschaftliche Verlagsgesellschaft mbH, Stuttgart, Germany. 960 pp.
• Orwa, C., Mutua, A., Kindt, R., Jamnadass, R. & Simons, A., 2009. Agroforestree database: a tree reference and selection guide. Version 4.0. [Internet] World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya. http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ resources/databases/ agroforestree. Accessed October 2012.
• Teketay, D., Senbeta, F., Maclachlan, M., Bekele, M. & Barklund, P., 2010. Edible wild plants in Ethiopia. Addis Ababa University Press, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 575 pp.
• van Wyk, B.E., van Oudtshoorn, B. & Gericke, N., 1997. Medicinal plants of South Africa. Briza Publications, Pretoria, South Africa. 304 pp.

Other references

• Adjanohoun, E.J., Adjakidjè, V., Ahyi, M.R.A., Aké Assi, L., Akoègninou, A., d’Almeida, J., Apovo, F., Boukef, K., Chadare, M., Cusset, G., Dramane, K., Eyme, J., Gassita, J.N., Gbaguidi, N., Goudote, E., Guinko, S., Houngnon, P., Lo, I., Keita, A., Kiniffo, H.V., Kone-Bamba, D., Musampa Nseyya, A., Saadou, M., Sodogandji, T., De Souza, S., Tchabi, A., Zinsou Dossa, C. & Zohoun, T., 1989. Contribution aux études ethnobotaniques et floristiques en République Populaire du Bénin. Agence de Coopération Culturelle et Technique, Paris, France. 895 pp.
• Ahmed, O.M.M., Adam, S.E.I. & Edds, G.T., 1981. The toxicity of Capparis tomentosa in sheep and calves. Veterinary and Human Toxicology 23(6): 403–409.
• Akoto, O., Oppong, I.V., Addae-Mensah, I., Waibel, R. & Achenbach, H., 2008. Isolation and characterization of dipeptide derivative and phytosterol from Capparis tomentosa Lam. Scientific Research and Essays 3(8): 355–358.
• Beentje, H.J., 1994. Kenya trees, shrubs and lianas. National Museums of Kenya, Nairobi, Kenya. 722 pp.
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• Getahun, A., 1976. Some common medicinal and poisonous plants used in Ethiopian folk medicine. Faculty of Science, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 63 pp.
• Hamill, F.A., Apio, S., Mubiru, N.K., Bukenya-Ziraba, R., Mosango, M., Maganyi, O.W. & Soejarto, D.D., 2003. Traditional herbal drugs of southern Uganda, 2: literature analysis and antimicrobial assays. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 84: 57–78.
• Hauman, L. & Wilczek, R., 1951. Capparidaceae. In: Robyns, W., Staner, P., Demaret, F., Germain, R., Gilbert, G., Hauman, L., Homès, M., Jurion, F., Lebrun, J., Vanden Abeele, M. & Boutique, R. (Editors). Flore du Congo belge et du Ruanda-Urundi. Spermatophytes. Volume 2. Institut National pour l’Étude Agronomique du Congo belge, Brussels, Belgium. pp. 454–521.
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• Kers, L.E., 2000. Capparidaceae. In: Edwards, S., Mesfin Tadesse, Demissew Sebsebe & Hedberg, I. (Editors). Flora of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Volume 2, part 1. Magnoliaceae to Flacourtiaceae. The National Herbarium, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and Department of Systematic Botany, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. pp. 74–120.
• Masters, S. (Editor), 2013. Capparis tomentosa. [Internet] Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Capparis_tomentosa&oldid=448756953/. Accessed February 2013.
• Neuwinger, H.D., 2000. African traditional medicine: a dictionary of plant use and applications. Medpharm Scientific, Stuttgart, Germany. 589 pp.
• Palmer, E. & Pitman, N., 1972–1974. Trees of southern Africa, covering all known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. 3 volumes. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pp.
• Sama, W. & Ajaiyeoba, E.O., 2006. Phytochemical and antimicrobial studies of Capparis thonningii and Capparis tomentosa. Pharmacognosy Magazine 2(6): 119–122.
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• Steenkamp, V., 2003. Traditional herbal remedies used by South African women for gynaecological complaints. Journal of Ethnopharmacology 86: 97–108.
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Sources of illustration

• Hauman, L. & Wilczek, R., 1951. Capparidaceae. In: Robyns, W., Staner, P., Demaret, F., Germain, R., Gilbert, G., Hauman, L., Homès, M., Jurion, F., Lebrun, J., Vanden Abeele, M. & Boutique, R. (Editors). Flore du Congo belge et du Ruanda-Urundi. Spermatophytes. Volume 2. Institut National pour l’Étude Agronomique du Congo belge, Brussels, Belgium. pp. 454–521.
• Palmer, E. & Pitman, N., 1972–1974. Trees of southern Africa, covering all known indigenous species in the Republic of South Africa, South-West Africa, Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland. 3 volumes. Balkema, Cape Town, South Africa. 2235 pp.

Author(s)

• G. Aweke, P.O. Box 4278, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Correct citation of this article

Aweke, G., 2013. Capparis tomentosa Lam. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota 11(2): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 2. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 17 December 2024.

• See this page on the Prota4U database.