Syrian bean-caper (Zygophyllum
fabago L.) Family: Zygophyllaceae Description and Variation: Syrian bean-caper is a succulent perennial, forming a compact multi-branched shrub - decumbent (spreading low to the ground) to ascending (upright). Mature shrubs may grow to three feet tall and spread three feet in diameter. The leaf arrangement is opposite. The compound leaves consist of a pair of leaflets that are thick, leathery, fleshy, and glabrous (smooth and hairless). The flowers are perfect. Solitary flowers are stalked, and found in the upper leaf axils. The five sepals are green. The five petals are white to cream with salmon-colored markings. There are 10 orange stamens extending past the petals (Roche’ 1991). The fruit is a four to five celled capsule with one seed in each cell. The seeds are brown and rough with a slight kidney bean shape. The perennial tap root can be up to several inches in diameter with multiple branches from the crown. : Syrian bean-caper is a succulent perennial, forming a compact multi-branched shrub - decumbent (spreading low to the ground) to ascending (upright). Mature shrubs may grow to three feet tall and spread three feet in diameter. The leaf arrangement is opposite. The compound leaves consist of a pair of leaflets that are thick, leathery, fleshy, and glabrous (smooth and hairless). The flowers are perfect. Solitary flowers are stalked, and found in the upper leaf axils. The five sepals are green. The five petals are white to cream with salmon-colored markings. There are 10 orange stamens extending past the petals (Roche’ 1991). The fruit is a four to five celled capsule with one seed in each cell. The seeds are brown and rough with a slight kidney bean shape. The perennial tap root can be up to several inches in diameter with multiple branches from the crown. Economic Importance Detrimental: Many of the species in this family are adapted to dry and/or salty environments, and related noxious weeds in this family include puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) and peganum (Peganum harmala). Syrian bean-caper shows similar invasive characteristics. Populations in Washington are slowly spreading away from their originating homesteads. This species is non palatable to livestock. Beneficial: The flower buds are used as a caper substitute. Habitat In its native range, Syrian bean-caper is associated with waste areas, dry grasslands, and deserts, at elevations ranging from 150 to 3,300 feet. It grows in open, rocky areas and gravelly soils. In Washington, this species is found on sandy to silt loam soils. Geographic Distribution: Syrian bean-caper is native to southwest Asia, the Syrian Desert, Soviet Armenia, Caucasus, northern Iraq, northwest and central Iran, and Turkey (Roche’ 1991). HistoryHistory: The earliest record of collection in Washington dates back to 1916 from Ephrata (Grant County); Yakima County - 1941; Lincoln County - 1964. Syrian bean-caper is also found in Adams and Okanogan Counties, with the larger population in Okanogan, County. Syrian bean-caper may have been introduced to California from Turkestan as a contaminant in alfalfa seed. Reportedly the California infestations have been eradicated. Growth and Development: Syrian
bean-caper is a perennial. The stems die back to the crown each winter. The flowers appear
from May to July and seed production is from August to October (Roche’ 1991). Reproduction Syrian bean-caper spreads by seeds, and lateral roots. Roots fragmented by cultivation can produce new plants. Response to Herbicides The surface area of the leaves of Syrian bean-caper are smooth and waxy, making herbicide control difficult. Refer to the annually updated Pacific Northwest Weed Control Handbook. Response to Cultural Methods Not Known. Response to Mechanical Methods Small infestations of Syrian bean-caper can be hand pulled, making sure that the whole root is removed. Biocontrol Potentials None known. Rationale for Listing Syrian bean-caper is a long lived perennial shrub that escaped cultivation to establish in several eastern Washington counties. Escaped plants form dense masses that displace beneficial rangeland species. This species is difficult to control because of the waxy surface area, and because of the tough, extensive root system. Syrian bean-caper is not palatable to livestock. A Class A noxious weed, distribution is limited, and containment and eradication is attainable. References: Davis, P.H. edit. 1975. Flora of Turkey and the east Aegean Islands. Edinburgh Univ. Press. 491. Harrington, H.D. 1954. Manual of the Plants of Colorado. P. 356. Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist. 1973. Flora of the Pacific Northwest. University of WA Press. Seattle and London. P. 283. Hitchcock, C.L. and A. Cronquist, M. Ownbey and J.W. Thompson. 1961. Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. University of WA Press. Seattle and London. Vol 3:392-3. Johnson, Jim. 1974. Syrian bean caper. CA Dept. of Food and Ag. Det. Man 6:29. Muenscher, W.C. 1955. Weeds. The Macmillan Co. NY. P. 291. Phatak, V.G. 1971. Embryology of Zygophyllum coccineum and Z. fabago. Botany. Roche’, C. 1991. Syrian bean-caper (Zygophyllum fabago L.) Pacific Northwest Extension Publication. WSU Cooperative Extension. WA, ID, OR. PNW 370. This page was last updated 03/31/07 |
