Capparis.
Botanical name:
Related entry: Simulo
Capparis. Capparis spinosa L. Caper-bush. (Fam. Capparidaceae.)—A low, trailing shrub, growing in the south of Europe and north of Africa. The buds of unexpanded flowers, treated with salt and vinegar, form a highly esteemed pickle, which has an acrid, burning taste, and is considered useful in scurvy. The dried bark of the root was formerly official. It is in pieces partially or wholly quilled, about one-third of an inch in mean diameter, transversely wrinkled, grayish externally, whitish within, inodorous, and of a bitterish, somewhat acrid, and aromatic taste. It contains rutic acid and a volatile substance of garlic-like odor. It is considered diuretic, and was formerly used in amenorrhea and chronic rheumatism.
