Capparis spinosa ‘Neapolitan Caper’ SEEDS

Capparis spinosa ‘Neapolitan Caper’ seeds grow into the Neapolitan caper bush a traditional Campanian selection of the common caper, cultivated for centuries in the volcanic soils around Naples and the Campanian coast for its aromatic, large flower buds (capers) and fruit (caperberries). Capparis spinosa L. is the caper a drought-tolerant, sprawling perennial shrub of the subtropical biome native to the Mediterranean Basin, Middle East and Central Asia, described by Linnaeus (1753). The epithet spinosa means ‘spiny’, referring to the stipular spines on the stems. ‘Neapolitan’ indicates this selection from the Campanian tradition; historically grown in the ruins, walls and rocky outcrops of the Naples area, as well as on the Amalfi and Sorrento coasts. Multi-use: food (pickled buds and fruits), medicine. Family Capparaceae.

Full sun; poor, well-drained rocky or sandy soils; warm Mediterranean to subtropical conditions; drought-tolerant once established. Thrives in walls and rocky crevices. Plant germinates slowly from seed scarification recommended. Harvest buds before they open for capers; fruit after flowering for caperberries.

• ‘Neapolitan’ = Campanian selection from the Naples area; volcanic soils; large aromatic buds; traditional southern Italian cultivation
• Spinosa = spiny (stipular spines); L. (Linnaeus, 1753); Mediterranean to Central Asian origin; drought-tolerant perennial
• Pickled flower buds = capers; pickled fruits = caperberries; essential in Mediterranean cuisine; medicine uses
• Genus Capparis: ~250 species; tropical and subtropical; Family Capparaceae; Order Brassicales
• Full sun; rocky/sandy poor soils; warm Mediterranean; drought-tolerant; slow from seed; scarify before sowing; Capparaceae

Capparis spinosa ‘Neapolitan Caper’ connects the garden to one of the most ancient culinary traditions of the Mediterranean the caper, known since antiquity, its flower buds preserved in salt or brine forming an essential flavouring of the Campanian and broader southern Italian kitchen, as at home on a Neapolitan pizza as in the ancient Roman recipes that prized this same aromatic plant.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.