Tribulus pentandrus

Family: Zygophyllaceae

What it is like

A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. The stems branch from the base. It lies along the ground and is spreading. It grows 40 cm tall. It is covered with short white hairs. The leaves are in pairs with 8-14 leaflets. The flowers occur singly and are yellow. The fruit are along the underside of the stems and are 1 cm across. They consist of 5 segments with toothed narrow wings.

There are 25 Tribulus species.

Where it is found

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in arid places on sand.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, East Africa, India, Middle East, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE

How it is used for food

Young plants are used as a pot-herb. The seeds are eaten as food in times of scarcity.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Bakdu, Bakra, Esuguru, Gokhru-kalan, Lalak, Nindo-trikhand, Shirsir, Trikundari

Synonyms

Tribulus alatus Delile [Illegitimate]; Tribulus longipetalus Viv.;