Capers
Originally uploaded by mikeysklar
I realize these photos could be better, but does this look like a caper plant to anyone? We eat capers and some of them end up in our compost. These plants have been popping up in our raised beds (presumably from our compost).
1 comment:
Hmm, it doesn't look like a caper to me which has large ovoid leaves and large frilly flowers with a green stem like this:
http://www.bfeedme.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/05/Capparis%20Spinosa%20Capers.jpg
This looks more like a Spurge or Chamaesyce like this:
http://www.swcoloradowildflowers.com/White%20Enlarged%20Photo%20Pages/chamaesyce.htm
given it's red stem, small elongated leaves, and small flowers.
The clincher will be if it has a white sap when you pick off a leaf, then it's definitely a spurge, and be careful of the sap since it can be irritating.
You should be able to grow capers where you are though, given you're nearly Mediterranean climate, though maybe a bit too cold in the winters unless you put it close to the house or in the glass houses. Worth a try!
It's unlikely that pickled seeds would still germinate, and the capers you buy in a jar are actually unopened flower buds, not fruit. The larger caper berries are the fruit, but almost always still pickled. Look for fresh seeds online
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