Tribulus

This article is about the plant. For the weapon used by the Ancient Romans, see caltrop. For the gastropod genus, see Tribulus (gastropod).

Tribulus
Tribulus cistoides in flower
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Zygophyllales
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Genus: Tribulus
L.[1][2]

Tribulus is a genus of plants in the family Zygophyllaceae and found in diverse climates and soils worldwide from latitudes 35°S to 47°N.[3][4] The best-known member is T. terrestris (puncture vine), a widespread invasive species and weed.[4]

Tribulus species are perennial, but some grow as annuals in colder climates.[4] The leaves are opposite and compound. The flowers are perfect (hermaphroditic) and insect-pollinated, with fivefold symmetry. The ovary is divided into locules that are in turn divided by "false septa" (the latter distinguish Tribulus from other members of its family).

Some species are cultivated as ornamental plants in warm regions. Some, notably T. cistoides, T. longipetalus, T. terrestris, and T. zeyheri, are considered weeds. Tribulus omanense is the national flower of Dubai.[5] Thirteen species of Tribulus are accepted by The Plant List, but there are many names still unresolved and needing further study.[4]

  1. ^ "Tribulus". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. ^ Linnaeus, C. (1753). "Species Plantarum". 1: 386. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ "Tribulus L." Plants of the world online: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2019. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d "Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine)". CABI. 8 November 2018. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  5. ^ "Types of Flowers in Dubai". gardenguides.com. Retrieved June 7, 2014.