CAPERS  , the unexpanded

flower-buds of Capparis spinosa, prepared with vinegar for use as a pickle . The caper plant is a trailing shrub, belonging to the Mediterranean region, resembling in habit the common bramble, and having handsome flowers of a pinkish white, with four petals, and numerous long tassel-like stamens . The leaves are simple and ovate, with spiny stipules . The plant is cultivated in Sicily and the south of France; and in commerce capers are valued according to the period at which the buds are gathered and preserved . The finest are the young tender buds called " nonpareil," after which, gradually increasing in size and lessening in value, come " superfine," " fine," " capucin " and " capot." Other species of Capparis are similarly employed in various localities; and in some cases the fruit is pickled .