Tribulus

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

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

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 is the national flower of United Arab Emirates.^[5] Thirteen species of Tribulus are accepted by The Plant List, but there are many names still unresolved and needing further study.^[4]

List of accepted species

Tribulus zeyheri growing in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia

Tribulus platypterus

(According to Plants of the world online^[3])

• Tribulus adelacanthus R.M.Barker
• Tribulus arabicus Hosni
• Tribulus astrocarpus F.Muell.
• Tribulus bimucronatus Viv.
• Tribulus cistoides L.
• Tribulus cristatus C.Presl
• Tribulus echinops Kers
• Tribulus eichlerianus K.L.Wilson
• Tribulus excrucians Wawra
• Tribulus forrestii F.Muell.
• Tribulus hirsutus Benth.
• Tribulus hystrix R.Br.
• Tribulus incanus Hosni
• Tribulus kaiseri Hosni
• Tribulus macrocarpus F.Muell. ex Benth.
• Tribulus macropterus Boiss.
• Tribulus megistopterus Kralik
• Tribulus micrococcus Domin
• Tribulus minutus Leichh. ex Benth.
• Tribulus mollis Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.
• Tribulus occidentalis R.Br.
• Tribulus omanense Hosni
• Tribulus parvispinus C.Presl
• Tribulus pentandrus Forssk.
• Tribulus platypterus Benth.
• Tribulus ranunculiflorus F.Muell.
• Tribulus securidocarpus Engl.
• Tribulus spurius Kralik
• Tribulus suberosus H.Eichler ex R.M.Barker
• Tribulus subramanyamii P.Singh, G.S.Giri & V.Singh
• Tribulus terrestris L.
• Tribulus zeyheri Sond.

Uses

T. terrestris has been cultivated to inhibit soil erosion and to improve soil moisture, texture, and water-holding capability in deserts and barren lands.^[4] Although T. terrestris extracts have been used in traditional medicine and as a dietary supplement for bodybuilders, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it is effective or safe for these purposes.^[4][6]