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3. Capparis zeylanica Linn. Sp. PI. 720. 1753. (Fig. 106).
CAPPARIDACEAE
Capparis acuminata Roxb.—Capparis brevispina DC.—Capparis wallichiana Wight & Arn.
Sinh. Welangirrya; Tarn. Adondai, Igudi, Indu, Kaguturatti, Kattoddi, Migupalattam,
Tondai, Tulambikkiri, Vennachchi, Viyanicham; Hindi Ardanda; Sans. Govindi, Granthila,
Kantakalata, Karambha, Katukandari, Kinkani, Krishangi, Tapasapriya, Vartala, Vyaghraghanti,
Vyaghrapada, Vyagranakhi.
A much branched shrub with glabrous young shoots; leaves simple, alternate, .318—10
cm long, lanceolate, ovate—lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, acute, entire, glabrous, thick,
reticulate, venation prominent; petioles short, each with two small, straight, sharp and persistent
stipular spines; flowers large, white, the two upper petals usually with a basal blotch of yellow,
afterwards purple, bisexual, 4.5—5 cm diameter, axillary, solitary or two together at the ends
of branchlets, pedicel 2.5 cm long; sepals 4, nearly equal, free, very concave, biseriate; petals 4,
imbricate, three or four times as long as sepals, oblong-lanceolate, obtuse, undulate, the lower
pair spreading, the upper pair approximated; stamens indefinite, inserted at the base of the
gynophore, anthers pale blue; gynophore as long as stamens; ovary superior, oblong, unilocular
with 4 parietal placentas, ovules-numerous, stigma capitate; fruit irregularly ovoid, bright
orange-pink, very conspicuous, 6.4 cm long, 3.2 cm broad, pointed or blunt on a stalk 1.2 cm
long, smooth, shining and soft with subreniform seeds immersed in a white, creamy pulp.
Flowers from March to July.
Illustrations. Hooker, Ic. PI. 2: pi. 126. 1837; Herb. Peradeniya, drawing.
Distribution. A common shrub in the southern and warmer parts of India and in the
dry regions of Ceylon, Jaffna, Trincomalee, Kantalai, Weragaritota and Tissamaharama.
Ceylon. Thwaites CP. 1060; North Western Prov., Chilaw, Nevill, March 1882. North
Central Prov., Habarana, Alston 505, May 1927. Eastern Prov., Kantalai, Herb. Peradeniya,
Aug. 1885. Central Prov., Peradeniya, Bot. Gard., cultivated, Jayaweera 1755, Oct. 1957; Nitre
Cave Dist., Herb. Peradeniya, Sept. 1888; Ambanganga, Simpson 9821, June 1932. Uva
Prov., Uma oya, Herb. Peradeniya, April 1885; Weragantota, Alston 802, July 1927.
Southern Prov., Ranna, Brown, April 1900; Tissamaharama, Simpson 9959, Aug. 1932;
Ruhuna National Park, near Yala Bungalow, Mueller-Dumbois 67082607, Aug. 1967.
Uses. For the same diseases as Capparis horrida is used.
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