The physico-mechanic and chemical properties were established in developing Capparis ovata Desf. var. canescens (Coss.) Heywood buds from Konya (Selcuklu) to investigate potential uses. Raw flower buds contained crude ash, crude oil, crude protein, crude fiber, total carotenoid, crude energy, water- and ether-soluble extract, dimethyl sulfite (DMS) and essential oil. In addition, physical properties such as length and diameter of buds, mass of buds, projected area, volume, porosity, bulk density, bud density, thermal velocity, hardness were measured. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.