Capparis tomentosa

Capparis tomentosa Lam.

Common names

Woolly caper bush (English); kalongo; chungankobwe, galango, kalango, kalukulu (Bemba/Kunda); Kalanga, kalilesya, kapalapala, mfwete (Nyanja); galanga (Tumbuka)

General description and distinguishing characteristics

A thorny, straggly climber (sometimes a shrub), often associated with termite mounds, Capparis tomentosa is distinguished by its evergreen, greyish, densely hairy leaves and small, hooked thorns. Bark green, becoming brown when older, with pairs of hooked thorns. Leaves simple, alternate or spirally arranged. Leaf typically 3-6 x 1.5-3 cm, leathery, grey-green, lanceolate, oblong or elliptic. The leaves are densely hairy on both surfaces. Petiole 5-10 mm long. Flowers sweetly scented, white or cream with a conspicuous mass of white stamens which are tinged with pink (filaments up to 4 cm long). Produced in terminal corymbs of 3-15 flowers or singly in the axils of the leaves (August-September). Fruit ovoid, up to 5 cm in diameter, ripening reddish orange (October onwards).

Capparis sepiaria is easily confused with Capparis tomentosa. The main differences between the two species are outlined under C. sepiaria, above.

Range and habitat

Capparis tomentosa is widespread throughout tropical Africa, and extends south into South Africa. In the valley it is found in valley riverine woodland, thicket and mopane woodland on clay soils.