Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS
Photo by: John Bradford, Martin County Chapter FNPS

Nomenclature

Common Name:

Jamaica caper-tree

Synonym(s):

Capparis cynophallophora

Genus species:

Quadrella jamaicensis

Family:

Brassicaeae

Plant Specifics

Form:

shrub

Size:

6 to 12 (18) ft tall by 6-10 ft wide

Life Span:

Long-lived perennial

Flower Color:

white,pink

Fruit Color:

brown

Phenology:

Evergreen. Flowers spring-summer. Fruits summer-fall. Moderately long-lived (Nelson 2003)

Noted For:

Showy Flowers, Hurricane Wind Resistance, Interesting Foliage

Landscaping

Recommended Uses:

Use as a specimen plant. Can also be used as a hedge.

Considerations:

Availability:

Native Nurseries, FNPS Plant Sales, Seed

Propagation:

Seed (scarification required).

Light:

Full Sun, Part Sun

Moisture Tolerance:

Always Flooded------------------------------------------------Extremely Dry

Coming Soon!

Usually moist, occasional inundation ---to--- Very long very dry periods

Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:

Unknown

Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:

Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.

Soil or Other Substrate:

Sand, Loam, Lime Rock

Soil pH:

Neutral to calcareous (high pH)

Suitable to Grow In:

10A,10B,11

Ecology

Wildlife:

Pollinators, Caterpillars, Birds

Attracts various pollinators.





Larval host for Florida white ( Appias drusilla ) butterflies.

Attracts birds

Native Habitats:

Dry sites. Coastal hammocks. Disturbed sites.

Natural Range in Florida:

Comments:

Ethnobotany:

General Comments:

Flowers open white and rapidly turn pink.