<caption> Caption

Text descriptive of the component to which it is attached.

Usage/Remarks

This element should not be confused with <title>, which is also allowed on <figure>. The <caption> element is reserved for a longer description or explanation.
A <caption> appearing directly inside a <figure> should describe the figure as a whole. If each of several images included in a figure requires its own caption, place a <caption> in each <mediaobject>.
Models and Context
May be contained in
Description
<para> Paragraph, one or more
Expanded Content Model

(para)+

Tagged Samples
For figure
...
<section xml:id="mul4-1">
  <title>Gourds</title>
  <para>The native people grew a variety of large broad-leafed, ground-covering vines 
    which produced what they called <quote>macocqwer</quote> or gourds. (<emphasis 
    role="ital">See</emphasis> <xref linkend="mul-fig1"/>.) Varying in color among shades 
    of green, yellow, and orange, these gourds served a number of functions, not chief 
    of which was as a food source. There were two distinct types, soft-shelled and 
    hard-shelled. Of particular interest to the settlers were pumpkins; grown throughout 
    the summer, this gourd remained in the fields until late autumn&#8217;s frost. 
    Following harvest, the gourd could be stored throughout the winter and its flesh 
    made into stews.</para>
  <figure xml:id="mul-fig1">
    <title>Gourds</title>
    <mediaobject>
      <imageobject>
        <imagedata format="jpg" fileref="19450212-2.jpg" width="50%"/>
      </imageobject>
    </mediaobject>
    <caption>
      <para>While gourds, pumpkins and squashes were new to the English, they were soon
        discovered to be very useful for warding off starvation.</para>
    </caption>
  </figure>
  <para>However, far more important was the hard-skinned gourd. The value of this gourd lay
    not in its potential as a food source, but rather as a container and serving vessel. Once
    dried, these gourds were cut and hollowed for use as storage containers, as well as for
    bowls, ladles, cups, and other types of serving utensils. Indeed, since gourds grew in a
    variety of shapes and sizes, particular gourds could be selected for their resemblance to
    the items sought. For the adventurous, the durable objects could be carved and decorated
    with plant dyes.</para>
</section>
...
For table
...
<section xml:id="mul4-4">
  <title>Fruits and Nuts</title>
  <para>The colony abounded with a wealth of fruits and nuts, some not previously known to the
    Europeans. ...</para>
  <table xml:id="mul-table1" frame="box">
    <caption>
      <para>North American Native Plants</para>
    </caption>
    <colgroup>
      <col align="right" valign="top"/>
      <col valign="top"/>
      <col align="center" valign="top"/>
    </colgroup> 
    <thead>
      <tr valign="top">
        <th>Use</th>
        <th>Plant Part</th>
        <th>Examples</th>
      </tr>
    </thead>
    <tbody>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td rowspan="8"><emphasis role="bold">Vegetables</emphasis></td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td rowspan="2">Seeds</td>
        <td>Corn</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td>Beans</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td rowspan="3">Fruits</td>
        <td>Squash</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td>Peppers</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td>Tomatoes</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td rowspan="2">Roots</td>
        <td>Potatoes</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td>Sweet Potatoes</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td rowspan="4"><emphasis role="bold">Teas</emphasis></td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td rowspan="2">Leaves</td>
        <td>Mountain Mint (Namewuskons)</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td>Dawn Mint (Wabinowusk)</td>
      </tr>
      <tr valign="top">
        <td>Berries</td>
        <td>Wintergreen</td>
      </tr>
    </tbody>
  </table>
</section>
...
Related Resources