Stay in the know about wildlife, water quality, and ecosystems on Sanibel and Captiva Islands and in Southwest Florida
Meet the Natives: Jamaica Caper
This week, we are highlighting the Jamaica caper (Quadrella jamaicensis). This salt-tolerant shrub or tree is native to the coastal areas in Central and South Florida down through the Florida Keys and tropical America.
Jamaica caper is found naturally in coastal hammocks and thickets.
“This is a highly resilient and adaptable plant, able to tolerate hurricane winds, salt inundation, and spray. Given time to establish it is also drought-tolerant,” said SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center Assistant Sophie Carpenter. “It may not look like it, but, Jamaica capers are a member of the Brassicaceae, or broccoli family!”
Typically, Jamaica capers prefer full sun to part shade and well-draining soils. It can grow 15 feet to 20 feet high, and is relatively slow growing to start, but will put out moderate growth once established.
Jamaica caper flowers primarily in the spring but blooms can extend into early summer. It produces striking white to pink flowers that actually start off white and then gradually turn pink throughout the day!
“Most noticeable about these flowers are their long, string-like stamens. Following its blooms, Jamaica caper produces seed pods that open to reveal a bright orange to red inner coating,” Carpenter said.
Jamaica caper is an excellent addition to wildlife gardens. Its showy blooms provide nectar for many pollinators, and it is the larval host plant for the Florida White butterfly (Appias drusilla). Jamaica caper’s thick foliage also provides important shelter for birds and other wildlife species, and the seeds provide food for birds.
Learn more or purchase Jamaica caper at SCCF’s Native Landscapes & Garden Center at 1300 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel, FL, open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday.