Common Name: Ceylon caper. Tamil Name: Atandy, Ekkathari
Ceylon caper is straggling large climber with arching branches which can grow to more than 10 meters. The branches are tomentose and have a rusty appearance. The simple leaves are arranged alternatively in a spiral manner. The plant has small stipular spines which are in pairs and re-curved. The petiole is around 7 mm and bend and rusty in appearance. The leaf shape is elliptic in shape measuring around 7 cm, leaf apex is mucronate and base truncate. Flowers are seen arranged in cymes, each bearing around 3 flowers: they measure around 7 cm in length. The flower in bud stage is covered with calyx which is reddish rusty and wooly in appearance. The flowers on fading become pink in color. The stamens are numerous and are white in color with a purple tinge. The fruit is globose- 3-4 cm across in reddish color. The fruit is used as a vegetable in rural areas. Ecologically a very important plant and is the larval host plant for Western striped Albatross, Chocolate albatross, Pioneer, Common gull, Great orange-tip, Yellow orange-tip, Psyche, Indian wanderer and Painted saw-tooth.
