Capparis decidua

Capparis decidua, commonly known as Karira or Spiny Ficus, is a resilient, thorny shrub native to the arid regions of India. Renowned for its adaptability to desert climates, this medicinal powerhouse offers diverse therapeutic benefits, ranging from digestive support to managing diabetes, making it vital in traditional Ayurvedic medicine.

  • Scientific name: Capparis decidua
  • Family: Capparaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Capparis decidua, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Brassicales and the family Capparaceae. Finally, it is placed within the genus Capparis.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Brassicales WCVP
Family Capparaceae WCVP
Genus Capparis WCVP

Common Names

This plant, Capparis decidua, is known by various regional names across different languages. In Hindi, it is commonly called कैर, while in Telugu, it is referred to as ఏనుగదంత. In the Telugu-Latin script, it is written as Kavar, and in Persian, it is known as کلیر. Additionally, in Punjabi, the plant is called کریڑ.
Language Common Name Source
hi कैर Wikidata
tg-latn Kavar Wikidata
fa کلیر Wikidata
te ఏనుగదంత Wikidata
pnb کریڑ Wikidata
pa ਕਰੀਰ Wikidata
ml കരീരം Wikidata
ar قبار نفضي Wikidata
sd ڪرڙ Wikidata
mk листопадна лубеничарка Wikidata

Distribution

This plant, known as Capparis decidua, exhibits a specific geographical distribution throughout the arid regions of Northern Africa. It can be found growing naturally within the borders of Algeria. Furthermore, its presence extends across the landscape of Egypt. The species is also widely distributed throughout Libya. Finally, this medicinal plant inhabits the territories of Morocco and Western Sahara.

Region Area Source
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
Northern Africa Morocco WCVP
Northern Africa Western Sahara WCVP
West Tropical Africa Mauritania WCVP
West Tropical Africa Nigeria WCVP
West Tropical Africa Niger WCVP
West Tropical Africa Senegal WCVP
Northeast Tropical Africa Chad WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as Capparis decidua, possesses various medicinal components that are utilized in different therapeutic applications. The aerial parts, which include the leaves and branches, are frequently harvested for their bioactive properties. The stems are often employed in traditional remedies to treat specific ailments, while the floral parts are noted for their unique characteristics during the flowering stage. Additionally, the fruits are consumed or processed for their nutritional and medicinal value. For many treatments, these various components are processed into a fine powder to facilitate easier administration and absorption in medicinal preparations.
Total parts
6
Scientific sources
6
Plant Part Sources Confidence
powder 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fruits 1 ★☆☆☆☆
floral parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Stems 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Aerial parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Capparis decidua has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 21 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, saponins, chromium, copper, fatty acids.

Total chemicals
19
Scientific sources
21

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
saponins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
chromium 1 ★☆☆☆☆
copper 1 ★☆☆☆☆
fatty acids 1 ★☆☆☆☆
glucosinolate 1 ★☆☆☆☆
iron 1 ★☆☆☆☆
lupeol 1 ★☆☆☆☆
manganese 1 ★☆☆☆☆
polyphenols 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Capparis decidua has 5 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antidiabetic, Antihemolytic, Antipyretic, Hepatoprotective.

Total activities
5
Scientific sources
6

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antihemolytic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Capparis decidua has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Mycobacterium tuberculosis, arthritis, diabetes mellitus, gout, hepatitis B virus.

Total uses
10
Scientific sources
10

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Mycobacterium tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
arthritis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gout 1 ★☆☆☆☆
hepatitis B virus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
oxidative stress 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rheumatism 1 ★☆☆☆☆
tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
type 2 diabetes 1 ★☆☆☆☆