This shrubby perennial plant grows 3-5 feet high, with numerous branches, bearing a pair of hooked spines at the base of each leaf stalk. Leaves are alternate, round to ovate, thick, and glistening. Flowers are about 2 inches in diameter, white with numerous violet stamens, and very pleasing in appearance. Seeds are large, kidney shaped, and gray-brown in color. Where native, plants grow spontaneously in cracks and crevices of rocks and stone walls. Plants grow well in nutrient poor sharply-drained gravelly soils. Mature plants develop large extensive root systems that penetrate deeply into the earth. Capers are salt-tolerant and flourish along shores within sea-spray zones. The caper's vegetative canopy covers soil surfaces which helps to conserve soil water reserves. Flowers are born on first-year branches. Capers of commerce are immature flower buds which have been pickled in vinegar or preserved in granular salt. Semi-mature fruits (caperberries) and young shoots with small leaves may also be pickled for use as a condiment. Smaller buds (both with less than one centimeter diameter) are considered more valuable than the larger (more than 1" diameter). Caper fruits preserved in the same manner, are rarely traded. Their flavour is very intensive. Capers have a sharp piquant flavor and add pungency, a peculiar aroma and saltiness to comestibles such as pasta sauces, pizza, fish, meats and salads. The flavor of caper may be described as being similar to that of mustard and black pepper. Capers are said to reduce flatulence and to be anti-rheumatic in effect. In ayurvedeic medicine capers (Capers=Himsra) are recorded as hepatic stimulants and protectors, improving liver function. Capers have reported uses for arteriosclerosis, as diuretics, kidney disinfectants, vermifuges and tonics. Infusions and decoctions from caper root bark have been traditionally used for dropsy, anemia, arthritis and gout. Capers contain considerable amounts of the anti-oxidant bioflavinoid rutin. Caper extracts and pulps have been used in cosmetics, but there has been reported contact dermatitis and sensitivity from their use. Plants are grown from seed and by vegetative cuttings.

Происхождение: Южная Африка, провинция Наталь. Вечнозелёный быстрорастущий кустарник с тёмно-зелёными овальными кожистыми листьями. Прекрасное растение для живой изгороди, сильно ветвится, кусту можно придать любую форму. Ветви покрыты крупными шипами. Цветы снежно-белые, ароматные. Плоды также очень декоративны - малиновые, размером с небольшую сливу. Карисса - растение субтропического или близкого к тропическому климата, прекрасно себя чувствующее на всей территории Флориды, куда оно было интродуцировано, и во взрослом виде выдерживающее температуру до -3С. Молодые растения нуждаются в защите, если температура опускается ниже -1С. Наилучший рост наблюдается на открытом солнце. Растение умеренно засухоустойчиво, имеет высокую степень устойчивости к засолению почвы и к соленым брызгам. Не выдерживает застой воды. В литературе упоминается, что листья и цветы некоторых видов кариссы, как и других кутровых, содержат ядовитые вещества. Но для серьёзного отравления их надо съесть значительное количество. Но так как карисса крупноцветковая имеет съедобные плоды, то маловероятно, что кто-нибудь предпочтёт вместо них жевать горькие листья.

The leaves are gray-green, saber-shaped and up to 3 in long. From spring to fall the plants bear purple flowers up to 6 in across that open only in the sun. Propagation: Easy from stem cuttings that can be placed in the ground where you want it to grow. The plant prefers light, sandy soils, requires well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soil. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

Highway iceplant (Carpobrotus edulis) is a ground-hugging succulent perennial that roots at the nodes, has a creeping habit, and often forms deep mats covering large areas. Shallow, fibrous roots are produced at every node that is in contact with the soil. Highway iceplant has been widely planted for soil stabilization and landscaping.
Highway iceplant tolerates a range of soil moisture and nutrient conditions and can establish and grow in the presence of competitors and herbivores. Drought resistant, does better with some water in winter during the growing season, needs good drainage.

Small annual flowering plant with the most intense blue color. The blue pigment is protocyanin, which in roses is red. In the past it often grew as a weed in crop fields, hence its name (fields growing grains such as wheat, barley, rye, or oats were formerly known as "corn fields"). It is now endangered in its native habitat by agricultural intensification, particularly over-use of herbicides, destroying its habitat. It is now naturalized in many parts of the world, including North America and parts of Australia. It is grown as an ornamental plant in gardens, where several cultivars have been selected with varying pastel colors, including pink and purple. Centaurea is also grown for the cutflower industry in the U.S. for use by florists. The most common color variety for this use is a doubled blue variety. Seeds germinate quickly after planting.

The flower is occasionally used as a culinary ornament and prized historically for their blue pigment. Cornflowers are often used as an ingredient in some tea blends and herbal teas. In herbalism, a decoction of cornflower is effective in treating conjunctivitis, and as a wash for tired eyes.

In folklore, cornflowers were worn by young men in love; if the flower faded too quickly, it was taken as a sign that the man's love was not returned. The blue cornflower has been the national flower of Estonia since 1968 and symbolizes daily bread to Estonians. It is also the symbol of the Finnish political party, and the Swedish political party, and has since the dawn of the 20th century been a symbol for social liberalism there. The blue cornflower is also one of the national flowers of Germany.