Tribulus terrestris L.
Family: Zygophyllaceae

Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

none

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

puncturevine, caltrop

Primary Disseminule Type

fruit segment

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Fruit a woody, spiny schizocarp consisting of (4)5 segments (mericarps, sometimes referred to as nutlets) that separate at maturity. Intact fruit is 5-lobed, 5-angled, ca. 5–10(15) mm diameter, subglobose, greenish-gray to yellowish tan, hairy. Each segment contains 2–5 seeds and is indehiscent.

Mericarp wedge-shaped, with 2 stout spines (2)3–7 mm long, various tubercles, and several short prickles.

Seed ovoid with an attenuate apex, ca. 2.5–3.5 mm long x ca. 1–1.5 mm wide, light brown to black.

Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)

AUQP, AUWP, NZWP, NZBORIC, NZBPI