Caper

Caper, the flower-bud of Capparis spinosa and of some allied species belonging to the order Capparidaceae. The plant is a scrambling shrub with spinous stipules and showy flowers remarkable for their very long gynophore (q.v.). It is grown throughout southern Europe, the buds, pickled in vinegar, being imported from Sicily, Italy, and France. The unripe fruits of the garden nasturtium (Tropaeolum majus) are used as a substitute.