Caper

Capparis incana Kunth in A. von Humboldt et al., Nov. Gen. Sp. 5(fol.): 73; 5(qto.): 94. 1821; C. karwinskiana Schlechtendal; C. pauciflora C. Presl; Octanema incana (Kunth) Rafinesque

Shrubs, 0.5-2.5[-8] m. Stems ± terete, tomentose, trichomes stellate. Leaves: petiole 7-14 (-18) mm, nectaries absent; blade narrowly to broadly elliptic or lanceolate, 3-5(-9) × 1-3 cm, not coriaceous, base cuneate, apex acuminate, acute, or barely obtuse, abaxial surface stellate-pubescent, adaxial surface glabrous. Inflorescences 2-6 cm. Pedicels 4-6 mm, tomentose. Flowers nocturnal, fragrant; sepals deciduous, linear-oblong, 2-3 × 0.5-1 mm, abaxially with stellate trichomes; petals white, ovate, 5-6(-8) × 3-4 mm; stamens 8, 6-8 mm; gynophore 4-5 mm. Capsules dehiscing into 2-4 valves, ovoid to obovoid or globose, 13-17(-20) × 10-13 mm, not constricted between seeds. Seeds 1, (cochleate-reniform), 11-13 mm (embryo white). 2n = 16.

Flowering spring. Coastal scrub; 0-5 m; Tex.; Mexico (Campeche, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Tamaulipas, Veracruz, Yucatán); Central America (Belize, Guatemala, Honduras).