C. spinosa is a wild or cultivated, prickly, prostrate shrub, commonly growing in the rocky and mountain areas of
southern Europe, northern Africa and around the Mediterranean basin. The plant has woody, cylindrical, branched, grayish roots,
numerous sarmentose stems with alternate leaves and edible buds. Two forms of caper can be found: a spiny and a nonspiny variety.
Capers thrive best in dry soil. The parts used are the root bark, fruits and buds. Capers have a sour, astringent flavor. The caper has
a long history of use as a culinary spice.
