Capparis cynophallophora, commonly known as Jamaican Caper, is a small evergreen tree native to tropical hardwood forests, coastal woodlands, and rocky areas of the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico, and Central America. It typically grows to a height of 15-25 feet (4.5-7.6 meters) with a similar spread, featuring a dense, rounded canopy. The new leaves at the apical tips of twigs are folded in half, displaying only the whitish, hairy abaxial (lower or ventral) side. As they mature, the leaves unfold to reveal a glossy, dark green adaxial (upper or dorsal) surface. Jamaican Caper produces showy pink and purple flowers in the spring, which are followed by elongated fruits that split open to release several large, brown seeds.

Jamaican Caper is valued for its ornamental foliage, attractive bark, and its tolerance to a variety of growing conditions, making it suitable for urban planting, as a specimen tree, or for use in hedges and screens. It is drought-tolerant once established and can adapt to a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained soils. This species is also salt-tolerant, making it a good choice for coastal areas. Gardeners should be aware that while it is not typically prone to serious pests or diseases, it can be sensitive to root rot in poorly drained soils.CC BY-SA 4.0