Tribulus terrestris L.
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Description
Tribulus terrestris is a prostrate annual or short-lived perennial herb, forming spreading mats on the ground. The plant commonly grows 10–50 cm long, with stems radiating from the base and rooting occasionally at nodes. Stems are: Branched. Creeping or ascending. Covered with fine hairs. Often reddish-green. Leaves are opposite and paripinnately compound. Each leaf consists of 4–8 pairs of small leaflets. Leaflets are: Elliptic to oblong. Unequal in size. Hairy on both surfaces. Entire-margined. Small stipules occur at the leaf base. Flowers are: Solitary. Axillary. Bright yellow. Actinomorphic. Bisexual. The flower consists of: Five sepals. Five yellow petals. Ten stamens. Superior ovary divided into five carpels. The fruit is the most distinctive feature. It is a hard schizocarp, breaking into five woody segments. Each segment bears two pairs of sharp spines, giving rise to the common name "puncture vine". These spiny fruits easily attach to animal feet and disperse seeds.
Diagnostic Characters
Distribution
Native range: Native to Mediterranean region, Southern Europe, North Africa, Western Asia, Distribution in Pakistan. Very common throughout Pakistan, especially in Punjab plains, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Frequently found in Agricultural fields, Roadsides, Sandy areas, Waste places.
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