Tribulus terrestris: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 12:21, 18 February 2025

Tribulus terrestris[edit]

Tribulus terrestris is a species of plant in the family Zygophyllaceae, native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and Australia. It is commonly known as puncture vine, caltrop, or goat's-head.

Description[edit]

Tribulus terrestris is a prostrate, mat-forming plant that grows to about 10 cm in height. The leaves are pinnate, with leaflets that are oblong and opposite. The flowers are small, yellow, and have five petals. The fruit is a woody burr with sharp spines, which can puncture bicycle tires and cause injury to animals and humans.

Habitat and Distribution[edit]

This plant thrives in dry, sandy soils and is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and waste places. It is considered a weed in many regions due to its invasive nature and ability to spread rapidly.

Uses[edit]

Tribulus terrestris has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including as an aphrodisiac and to treat kidney stones. It is also marketed as a dietary supplement for enhancing athletic performance, although scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.

Ecological Impact[edit]

The plant's spiny fruit can cause significant ecological and economic damage. It can injure livestock and wildlife, and its ability to spread quickly makes it a problematic invasive species in many areas.

Related pages[edit]

References[edit]

External links[edit]

Tribulus terrestris at the National Invasive Species Information Center

Tribulus terrestris plant
Tribulus terrestris growing on a beach in the Philippines
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris germinating
Gokhru (Pakhra)
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris nutlets in foot, Marfa, Texas
Tribulus terrestris

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-'''Tribulus terrestris''' is a flowering plant in the family [[Zygophyllaceae]], native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the Old World in southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, and in northern Australia. It can thrive even in desert climates and poor soil.
+== Tribulus terrestris ==
+[[File:Tribulus_terrestris_(Family_Zygophyllaceae).jpg|thumb|right|Tribulus terrestris plant]]
+[[File:Tribulus_terrestris_growing_on_a_beach_(Philippines)_1.jpg|thumb|right|Tribulus terrestris growing on a beach in the Philippines]]
+'''Tribulus terrestris''' is a species of plant in the family [[Zygophyllaceae]], native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the [[Old World]] in southern [[Europe]], southern [[Asia]], throughout [[Africa]], and [[Australia]]. It is commonly known as puncture vine, caltrop, or goat's-head.
 == Description ==
-Tribulus terrestris is a herbaceous perennial plant that grows as a summer annual in colder climates. The stems radiate from the crown to a diameter of about 10 cm to over 1 m, often branching. They are usually prostrate, forming flat patches, though they may grow more upwards in shade or among taller plants. The leaves are pinnately compound with leaflets less than a quarter-inch long. The flowers are 4–10 mm wide, with five lemon-yellow petals, five sepals, and ten stamens. In Southern California, it blooms from April through October, where it is highly invasive in waste places and disturbed sites.
+Tribulus terrestris is a prostrate, mat-forming plant that grows to about 10 cm in height. The leaves are pinnate, with leaflets that are oblong and opposite. The flowers are small, yellow, and have five petals. The fruit is a woody burr with sharp spines, which can puncture bicycle tires and cause injury to animals and humans.
+== Habitat and Distribution ==
+This plant thrives in dry, sandy soils and is often found in disturbed areas such as roadsides, fields, and waste places. It is considered a weed in many regions due to its invasive nature and ability to spread rapidly.
 == Uses ==
-Tribulus terrestris is a popular herb in traditional medicine in China and India. It has been used in the traditional medicine systems of both countries for centuries for various ailments. In modern dietary supplements, it is often used as a testosterone booster, although scientific evidence supporting this use is lacking.
-== Cultivation ==
+Tribulus terrestris has been used in traditional medicine for various purposes, including as an aphrodisiac and to treat kidney stones. It is also marketed as a dietary supplement for enhancing athletic performance, although scientific evidence supporting these claims is limited.
-Tribulus terrestris is a hardy plant that can grow in a variety of climates and soil types. It prefers full sun and dry conditions, but can tolerate some shade and moisture. It is often found growing in disturbed sites, such as roadsides, fields, and waste places.
-== Potential Health Risks ==
+== Ecological Impact ==
-While Tribulus terrestris is used in traditional medicine and dietary supplements, it can have potential health risks. Some people may experience side effects such as stomach pain, cramping, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, insomnia, or heavy menstrual bleeding. It may also interact with certain medications, including lithium, diabetes medications, and blood pressure medications.
-== See Also ==
+The plant's spiny fruit can cause significant ecological and economic damage. It can injure livestock and wildlife, and its ability to spread quickly makes it a problematic invasive species in many areas.
+== Related pages ==
 * [[Zygophyllaceae]]
-* [[Traditional Chinese Medicine]]
+* [[Invasive species]]
-* [[Ayurveda]]
+* [[Traditional medicine]]
 == References ==
-<references />
+{{Reflist}}
+== External links ==
+* [https://www.invasivespeciesinfo.gov/subject/tribulus-terrestris Tribulus terrestris] at the National Invasive Species Information Center
+[[File:Starr_030612-0067_Tribulus_terrestris.jpg|thumb|right|Tribulus terrestris in bloom]]
+[[File:Tribulus_Terrestris_Germinating.jpg|thumb|right|Germinating Tribulus terrestris]]
+[[File:Gokhru_(Pakhra).JPG|thumb|right|Gokhru fruit]]
+[[File:Trte_003_lhp.jpg|thumb|right|Tribulus terrestris plant]]
+[[File:Tribulus_terrestris_nutlets_in_foot,_Marfa,_Texas.JPG|thumb|right|Nutlets of Tribulus terrestris in a foot]]
+[[File:Starr_030612-0070_Tribulus_terrestris.jpg|thumb|right|Close-up of Tribulus terrestris flower]]
+[[Category:Zygophyllaceae]]
+[[Category:Flora of Africa]]
+[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
 [[Category:Flora of Europe]]
-[[Category:Flora of Asia]]
-[[Category:Flora of Africa]]
 [[Category:Flora of Australia]]
-[[Category:Medicinal plants]]
+<gallery>
-{{plants-stub}}
+File:Tribulus_terrestris_(Family_Zygophyllaceae).jpg|Tribulus terrestris plant
-{{food-stub}}
+File:Tribulus_terrestris_growing_on_a_beach_(Philippines)_1.jpg|Tribulus terrestris growing on a beach in the Philippines
+File:Starr_030612-0067_Tribulus_terrestris.jpg|Tribulus terrestris
+File:Tribulus_Terrestris_Germinating.jpg|Tribulus terrestris germinating
+File:Gokhru_(Pakhra).JPG|Gokhru (Pakhra)
+File:Trte_003_lhp.jpg|Tribulus terrestris
+File:Tribulus_terrestris_nutlets_in_foot,_Marfa,_Texas.JPG|Tribulus terrestris nutlets in foot, Marfa, Texas
+File:Starr_030612-0070_Tribulus_terrestris.jpg|Tribulus terrestris
+</gallery>