| Capparis decidua | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Brassicales |
| Family: | Capparaceae |
| Genus: | Capparis |
| Species: | C. decidua |
| Binomial name | |
| Capparis decidua | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Capparis decidua, commonly known askarira,[3] is a useful plant in its marginal habitat.
It is a small much-branchedtree orshrub. It bears a mass of slender, gray-green leafless branches, the smallcaducous leaves being found only on young shoots.[4] It rarely exceeds a height of 5 metres (16 feet).[5]
The new flush of leaves appears in November–January. Red conspicuous flowers appear in March to April and August–September and ripe by May and October. The pink fleshyberries are readily eaten by birds. Itcoppices well and producesrootsuckers freely. It is extremely drought-resistant and tolerates some frost.[5]
It can be found inarid regions inNorth Africa, theMiddle East,[4] andSouth Asia, including theThar desert.
Khair city in Uttar Pradesh, India is famous forKair trees.[citation needed]
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The fruit and young buds can be eaten raw.[4]
Its spicy fruits are used for preparingvegetables,curry and finepickles and can attract helpfulinsectivores; the plant also is used infolk medicine andherbalism. It can be used inlandscape gardening,afforestation andreforestation in semidesert and desert areas; it provides assistance againstsoil erosion.[6]
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