Caltrops
Tribulus cistoides
Family: Zygophyllaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The branches which lie down. They can be 1 m long. The plant has a strong taproot. The stems are hairy. The leaves are produced opposite one another. They are divided along the stalk into 6-8 pairs of leaflets. The leaf and leaflets on one side of the stalk are smaller than on the other side. The leaflets are 9-14 mm long by 3-5 mm wide. The flowers are single and 25-35 mm across. They are on stalks about 2 cm long. These flowers are produced from one axil of each pair of leaves. The flower has 5 bright yellow petals. The fruit is a round capsule which has 5 parts. These have strong sharp spines.
The sharp seeds can damage feet. It is poisonous to animals.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it is common in coastal areas. It grows naturally on sandy loam soils. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Asia, Australia, Central America, China, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Europe (country/location of origin), Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesser Antilles, Marquesas, Mexico, Mozambique, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, South America, St Helena, Suriname, Taiwan, Timor-Leste, Uganda, USA, West Indies
How it is used for food
The young shoots and leaves are eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, vegetable
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chitlha, Esuguru, Goat's Head, Lichechuane, Nohu, Puncture Vine, Te maukinikin, Vathavana