wild plant

ospsalison · Postby **ospsalison** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:24 pm

Hi I have a strange plant that grows wild on my land which is a ground creeper type plant which has what appear to be mini watermelon type fruits on it - the fruits when ripe split open to reveal a bright red inside with black seeds.

Any one any idea what it is?

silver · Postby **silver** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:43 pm

sound like alcaparra....

spanish hopes · Postby **spanish hopes** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:47 pm

I thought alcaparra was 'capers' which would not meet the description given by ospalison. I am not an expert on plants though so don't bet your next month's salary on it.

silver · Postby **silver** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:55 pm

Im not taking a bet cos I am not an expert on plants...but capers do resemble mini watermelon type fruits.

spanish hopes · Postby **spanish hopes** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:19 pm

It was the red centre which threw me, but admittedly I have only ever seem them pickled.

silver · Postby **silver** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:32 pm

ospsalison take a look at http://www.mediterraneangardensociety.o ... inosa.html
you can see if this is the plant and flower.

ospsalison · Postby **ospsalison** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:59 pm

hmm it could be that, Silver, only our fruits were bigger - the size of small figs - but maybe if you want to pickle them you pick them earlier. Certainly the leaf was similar.

silver · Postby **silver** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:04 pm

the size of small figs ..yeh..did you notice the flower??white and purple very delicate and beautiful...if so could well be these..they pickle them here too..from thumbnail size to small fig size...but before you do anything with them check with a local to make sure thats what they are...show one to a local...any local will know.

lis48 · Postby **lis48** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:09 pm

I thought pickled capers always come from the unopened flower buds of the plant not the seeds? Or have I got that wrong?

Postby **El Cid** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 5:16 pm

The flower of a caper is unmistakeable. We have some in our garden.The fruits are much bigger than you expect from the ones you see in jars! Sometimes you can see them for sale with the olives in the supermarkets.

There are some detailed pictures of the berries here

http://tinyurl.com/acx7p

Sid

patricia · Postby **patricia** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 6:56 pm

Try the web www.wildspain.com they have experts who give advice etc on the site. You can put your question to them and someone will answer. They will answer any questions on the flora and fuana of Spain.

ospsalison · Postby **ospsalison** » Tue Sep 20, 2005 1:38 pm

Thanks all, I sadly wasnt at the house to see the flowers but I have noticed that the farmers leave these plants when growing in the olive orchards so almost certainly something edible - will have a closer look next year.

wild plant

wild plant

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