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Capparis fascicularis (PROTA)

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''This page has still not be written by PROTA. it will contain the result of data-mining from external websites.'' :Protologue: Prodr. 1: 248 (1824).
:Family: Capparaceae
:Chromosome number: 40
== Synonyms ==
== Vernacular names ==
*Zigzag caper-bush (En). 
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
''Capparis fascicularis'' is widespread, from Senegal and Gambia eastward to Eritrea and Ethiopia, and southward to eastern South Africa and Swaziland.
== Uses ==
In East Africa ground roots are applied as anodyne and to treat ulcers, and they are added to soup to treat colds, stomach-ache and gonorrhoea. In Ethiopia roots are chewed against toothache. The Luo people in Kenya and Tanzania apply root decoctions to treat gastrointestinal complaints, diarrhoea and inflamed gums in children, and as vermifuge. In Uganda sleeping sickness is treated by administration of a cold water infusion of the roots.
 
The fruits are occasionally eaten fresh by children, although they have been reported to be poisonous; they are sometimes eaten after boiling and have been used in pickles and chutneys. In Nigeria the leaves have reportedly been used as vegetable. The foliage is sometimes eaten by goats, sheep, camels and donkeys, but adverse effects such as staggering have been reported. The wood is occasionally used for poles and roof laths in house construction, for fences and as firewood.
== Production and international trade ==
In the 1950s, the fruits of ''Capparis fascicularis'' have been traded on a small scale from Tanzania to Indian people in East African countries for use in the production of pickles and chutneys. 
== Properties ==
Tests in Uganda did not show any in-vitro antitrypanosomal activity of root extracts. The crude protein content of leaves is high throughout the year.
== Description ==
Evergreen, strongly branched, spiny shrub up to 5(–7) m tall, often with scandent stems up to 10 m long; bark surface scaly, dark grey; twigs hairy, green. Leaves arranged spirally, simple and entire; stipules developing into paired recurved spines up to 4 mm long; petiole up to 0.5 cm long; blade elliptical to oblong-ovate or obovate, 2–6 cm × 1–2(–3) cm, cuneate to obtuse or rounded at base, obtuse to rounded or notched at apex, thin-leathery, hairy but often becoming glabrous, pinnately veined with 3–5(–12) pairs of lateral veins. Inflorescence an axillary fascicle, short-hairy, few- to many-flowered, sometimes flowers solitary in leaf axils. Flowers bisexual, nearly regular, 4-merous; pedicel 0.5–1.5(–3) cm long; sepals free, slightly concave, 3–5 mm long, nearly equal, hairy; petals free, oblanceolate, nearly equal, 0.5–1 cm long, white to pinkish white; stamens 5–22, free, 0.5–1 cm long, whitish; ovary superior, long-stalked, ovoid to ellipsoid, glabrous, 1-celled, stigma small, sessile. Fruit a distinctly stalked, nearly globose berry 1.5–2(–3) cm in diameter, with 4–8 indistinct longitudinal veins, orange-red to brownish red, with slimy, orange to reddish pulp, many-seeded. Seeds ovoid to kidney-shaped, 0.5–1 cm long, slightly 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.
 
''Capparis fascicularis'' is variable and 3 varieties have been distinguished.
== Growth and development ==
In West Africa ''Capparis fascicularis'' flowers at the end of the rainy season or at the beginning of the dry season, in Cameroon in the dry season from December to February. Fruits ripen about 4 months after flowering. Monkeys have been reported to eat the fruits and elephants the leafy twigs.
== Ecology ==
''Capparis fascicularis'' occurs in deciduous bushland and wooded savanna, often on termite mounds, in East Africa up to 2100 m altitude. 
== Propagation and planting ==
 == Management == ''Capparis fascicularis'' is mainly propagated by seed.
== Diseases and pests ==
Larvae of the butterflies ''Belenois creona'' and ''Eronia cleodora'' feed on the leaves.
== Harvesting == == Yield == == Handling after harvest == == Genetic resources and breeding == == Breeding == ''Capparis fascicularis'' is widespread, locally common and occurs in various habitats. Therefore it is not threatened by genetic erosion.
== Prospects ==
The various applications of ''Capparis fascicularis'' roots in traditional medicine have not been investigated except the antitrypanosomal activity, which appeared to be lacking. In view of the common use to treat pain, ulcers and gastrointestinal complaints, the anodyne and antimicrobial activities warrant research. Because of the reports on the toxicity of various plant parts, studies of the phytochemistry are needed before methods for safe usage as medicine, forage and food plant can be recommended.
== Major references ==
== Afriref references ==
== Sources of illustration ==
 
== Author(s) ==
*R.H.M.J. Lemmens, PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
== Correct citation of this article ==
Lemmens, R.H.M.J., 2013. Capparis fascicularis DC. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). Prota 11(2): Medicinal plants/Plantes médicinales 2. [CD-Rom]. PROTA, Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
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