Quick facts
| Arabic name | اللصف (الكبر الجبلي) |
|---|---|
| English name | Lasaf (Cliff Caper) |
| Scientific name | Capparis cartilaginea |
| Family | Caper family (Capparaceae) |
| Plant type | Hanging shrub |
| Height | 1 to 2 m |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
October to December
Harvest
Not harvested
JanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctoberNovemberDecember
Planting timeHarvest or flowering
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A shrub with thick round grey-green leaves, small thorns and white flowers with long stamens.
Where it grows
Grows on rocks and cliffs in Hijaz, Asir, Al-Baha, Tabuk and Jazan.
Soil
Grows in rock cracks.
Water and irrigation
Handles drought.
Climate and light
Handles heat.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Pretty flowers
- Covers rocky cliffs
- Used in folk remedies
Drawbacks
- Hard to grow
- Never pull it out from the wild
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Capparis cartilaginea
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Capparis cartilaginea
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)