Capparaceae

Capparis, from the Greek kapparis, a name used by Dioscorides, an Arabic name is kapar. Trees or shrubs sometimes climbing; in the juvenile phases spines are commonly present. Leaves are alternate, but the plant may appear leafless as in Apophyllum, where the leaves are small and usually shed quickly. Flowers are chiefly bisexual, usually 4-merous, stamens vary in number from 1 to many. Ovary and fruit are borne on a long gynophore or stalk; fruit various usually a capsule or berry, seeds 1 to many. Cleome is now often placed in its own family the Cleomaceae.