HerbWildAnnualMedicinal

Trianthema triquetrum Willd. ex Spring.

Choti ulwati · Alettie

Synonyms: Trianthema glandulosum Peter; Trianthema glaucifolium F.Muell

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Description

Trianthema triquetrum is a diffuse, succulent annual herb with decumbent to ascending, glabrous stems. Leaves are opposite, nearly equal, narrowly elliptic to lanceolate or linear-oblong, distinctly three-angled (triquetrous) in cross section, fleshy, and supported by short sheathing petioles. Flowers are solitary and axillary, sessile or subsessile, with five pink to purplish perianth lobes. Stamens are numerous and unequal. The ovary is superior, terminating in a slender persistent style. Fruits are circumscissile pyxidia containing several black, compressed, roughened seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative

Narrow, succulent, distinctly triquetrous leaves lacking the broad obovate blades of T. portulacastrum.

Floral

Solitary axillary pink flowers.

Fruit & Seed

Circumscissile pyxidium with numerous compressed black seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Arid and semi-arid regions of Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, South Asia, and Australia.

In Pakistan: Scattered in the drier parts of Pakistan, and desert ecosystems.

Phenology

Flowering

Fruiting

Flowering: June to October Fruiting: July to November

Ethnobotany & Uses

Traditional Uses

Occasionally employed in indigenous medicine for inflammatory conditions and skin ailments.

Ecological Importance

Provides seasonal forage for grazing livestock in arid environments and contributes to stabilization of sandy soils.

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Where it grows on campus

North-North-West Campus1

individuals mapped across 1 zone

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Taxonomic Notes

This species is distinguished from T. portulacastrum by its narrow, triquetrous leaves and adaptation to drier desert environments. It has historically been confused with other narrow-leaved species of Trianthema. (Plants of the World Online).