A taxonomic revision of the Capparis spinosa group (Capparaceae) from eastern Africa to Oceania

The variability, autecology and distribution of the Capparis spinosa group have been studied in eastern Africa, Madagascar, southern Asia, Australia and Oceania. In these areas the taxonomic treatment of the group, also represented in holoarctic Regions of the Old World, is still critical. The forms widespread in the study area are here referred to four subspecies of Capparis spinosa. The recognized subspecies mostly show geographical vicariance, except in some contact areas of the Middle East and western Himalaya. Two nomenclatural novelties, i. e. Capparis spinosa subsp. cordifolia comb. et stat. nov. and Capparis spinosa subsp. himalayensis stat. nov., are proposed. Among the recognized taxa, Capparis spinosa subsp. cartilaginea shows a wide distribution range including eastern Africa, Madagascar, south-western Asia to Pakistan and India, Capparis spinosa subsp. cordifolia is widespread in the Pacific from Indonesia eastwards to Pitcairn Islands and Hawaii, Capparis spinosa subsp. nummularia is recorded from western, central and northern Australia, Capparis spinosa subsp. himalayensis is known from Pakistan, India and Nepal.