In ancient times, this plant was believed to have not only healing, but also magical properties. The Greek physician Pedanius Dioscorides recommended using caper leaves and roots for treating swelling, while Athenaeus mentions caper several times and asks the philosopher Zeno to swear by it.
This valuable plant has soft stems, blossoming buds and fruits that are both pharmaceutically important and delicious. Besides, caper has been a delicacy from antiquity till today. Theophrastus argued that wild caper was of better quality than the one cultivated. It is said that the demand for caper was so high that Phryne, before becoming Praxiteles model and lover, made a living by collecting and selling caper.
Source:
Αραμπατζής Ι. Θεόδωρος (1998). Θάμνοι και δέντρα στην Ελλάδα – Τόμος Ι
Μπαλάσκας Περικλής (2013). Φαρμακευτικές ιδιότητες φυτικών ειδών στην Ελλάδα
Χατζηπέτρου Θεοδώρα (2015). Αντιλήψεις για το τοπίο μέσα από το μύθο και τα αρχαία ελληνικά κείμενα.
