The summer of 2023 has been seeing temperatures crossing 45 degrees Celsius mark and even touching 50 degrees Celsius at times challenging vegetation in general except the indigenous plants.
On top of a mount was a stroke of green with few touches of pink and closer look gave its details, thick leaves and fragrant flowers.
This is capparis cartilaginea, found on cliffs, wadis and mountains of Oman, an example of plants that can survive the summer heat. According to botanist who specializes on plants of Oman, Salim al Rahbi, and has popular Instagram account on plants (@e.o.Omani.p), locally the plant is called as Qanfar.
They have also been found near springs in the Dhofar Governorate. They need well drained soil and grows in crevices.
This perennial shrub thrives in arid region and on top of the mountains and cliffs where one would think there is no soil. But it grows providing spots of green In otherwise stark mountains.
The plants provide flowers and fruits throughout the year. The flowers tend to bloom by late afternoon and stays until next day.
Capparis cartilaginea is an important plant because of its properties.
Salim al Rahbi said, “In Oman, traditionally, the plant’s roots are used to treat snake bites.” According to tropical.inferns.info, the plant is used as medicine in East Africa. In Somalia, the leaves are steeped in hot water and used as medication to treat cough.
The pollinators are bees, moths and even wasps as was noted with this plant on one of the mountains in the Muscat Governorate. After the flowering stage the fruits appear and ants and birds help in the disposal of its black seeds.
The shrub is known to be tolerant to salt and resistant to drought, all of which prove that it could be one of the plants that can handle climate change and sea water intrusion.
The other places they are found are Saudi Arabia, UAE, Yemen, Soqotra, India, North, East and South West Africa as well as the Mediterranean region.
In the Mediterranean region, this plant comes in the cuisine as well.
In the Mediterranean part of the world, the flower buds, tender fruits and young shoots are pickled and are popular as seasoning.
The Food and Agriculture Organisation, FAO lists Capers under the class of ‘Other Vegetables’ and the European Commission categorizes it as part of, ‘Minor Crops.’ There is currently many research interests going in the world on this plant because of its nutritional value and as it has reportedly shown antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antifungal effects and other health benefits.
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