Capparis mitchelli [Capparis = of the caper family, mitchelli = after the explorer Mitchell]. Also known as Mitchell's Bumble-tree.
A shrub with leathery green leaves, and large delicate cream flowers with many stamens which only last for a day, and golf ball size fruit on a long stem which turns from green to dark brown, and has a smell of citrus. The shrub is grazed by stock, and Aborigines ate the fruit. The timber is white, hard and too small for anything but carving and engraving. The plant is host to the Caper White butterfly, and their larvae are green with tiny yellow dots. These butterflies are eaten by Blue Wrens. Other butterflies which use this tree as a host are:- Australian Gull, Chalk White, Common Pearl White, and the Narrow winged Pearl White.
Family CAPPARACEAE
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