Tribulus

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.<ref name="powo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="cabi">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The best-known member is T. terrestris (puncture vine), a widespread invasive species and weed.<ref name=cabi/>

Tribulus species are perennial, but some grow as annuals in colder climates.<ref name=cabi/> 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.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Thirteen species of Tribulus are accepted by The Plant List, but there are many names still unresolved and needing further study.<ref name=cabi/>

List of accepted species

File:Devil's thorn flower (Tribulus zeyheri), Kalahari.jpg

Tribulus zeyheri growing in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia

File:Tribulus platypterus (7596851918).jpg

Tribulus platypterus

(According to Plants of the world online<ref name=powo/>)

1. Tribulus adelacanthus R.M.Barker
2. Tribulus arabicus Hosni
3. Tribulus astrocarpus F.Muell.
4. Tribulus bimucronatus Viv.
5. Tribulus cistoides L.
6. Tribulus cristatus C.Presl
7. Tribulus echinops Kers
8. Tribulus eichlerianus K.L.Wilson
9. Tribulus excrucians Wawra
10. Tribulus forrestii F.Muell.
11. Tribulus hirsutus Benth.
12. Tribulus hystrix R.Br.
13. Tribulus incanus Hosni
14. Tribulus kaiseri Hosni
15. Tribulus macrocarpus F.Muell. ex Benth.
16. Tribulus macropterus Boiss.
17. Tribulus megistopterus Kralik
18. Tribulus micrococcus Domin
19. Tribulus minutus Leichh. ex Benth.
20. Tribulus mollis Ehrenb. ex Schweinf.
21. Tribulus occidentalis R.Br.
22. Tribulus omanense Hosni
23. Tribulus parvispinus C.Presl
24. Tribulus pentandrus Forssk.
25. Tribulus platypterus Benth.
26. Tribulus ranunculiflorus F.Muell.
27. Tribulus securidocarpus Engl.
28. Tribulus spurius Kralik
29. Tribulus suberosus H.Eichler ex R.M.Barker
30. Tribulus subramanyamii P.Singh, G.S.Giri & V.Singh
31. Tribulus terrestris L.
32. 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.<ref name=cabi/> 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.<ref name=cabi/><ref name="pokr">Template:Cite journal</ref>

External links

• Tribulus in BoDD – Botanical Dermatology Database
• Technical description of Zygophyllaceae from The Families of Flowering Plants, L. Watson and M. J. Dallwitz