Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised May 29, 2026

Tribulus

Tribulus is a genus of plants in the family Zygophyllaceae and found in diverse climates and soils worldwide from latitudes 35°S to 47°N. The best-known member is T. terrestris, a widespread invasive species and weed.

Last revised
May 29, 2026
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Tribulus
Tribulus cistoides in flower
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Zygophyllales
Family: Zygophyllaceae
Genus: Tribulus
L.12

Tribulus is a genus of plants in the family Zygophyllaceae and found in diverse climates and soils worldwide from latitudes 35°S to 47°N.34 The best-known member is T. terrestris (puncture vine), a widespread invasive species and weed.45

Tribulus species are perennial, but some grow as annuals in colder climates.4 The leaves are opposite and compound. The flowers are perfect (hermaphroditic) and insect-pollinated, with fivefold symmetry. The ovary is divided into locules that are in turn divided by "false septa" (the latter distinguish Tribulus from other members of its family).

Tribulus omanense is the national flower of the United Arab Emirates.6 Thirteen species of Tribulus are accepted by The Plant List, but there are many names still unresolved and needing further study.4

List of accepted species

Tribulus zeyheri growing in the Kalahari Desert in Namibia source ↗
Tribulus platypterus source ↗

(According to Plants of the world online3)

Uses

T. terrestris has been cultivated to inhibit soil erosion and to improve soil moisture, texture, and water-holding capability in deserts and barren lands.4 Although T. terrestris extracts have been used in traditional medicine and as a dietary supplement for bodybuilders, there is no high-quality clinical evidence that it is effective or safe for these purposes.47

References

References

  1. "Tribulus". Australian Plant Name Index, IBIS database. Centre for Plant Biodiversity Research, Australian Government.
  2. Linné, Carl von (1908). Species plantarum: exhibentes plantas rite cognitas ad genera relatas, cum diferentiis specificis, nominibus trivialibus, synonymis selectis, locis natalibus, secundum systema sexuale digestas. Vol. 1. Junk. p. 386. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.37656.
  3. "Tribulus L." Plants of the world online: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. 2019. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2019.
  4. "Tribulus terrestris (puncture vine)". CABI. 8 November 2018. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 27 July 2019.
  5. Lauterbach, Maximilian; Zimmer, Regina; Alexa, Andrea Christine; Adachi, Shunsuke; Sage, Rowan; Sage, Tammy; MacFarlane, Terry; Ludwig, Martha; Kadereit, Gudrun (2019-08-01). "Variation in leaf anatomical traits relates to the evolution of C4 photosynthesis in Tribuloideae (Zygophyllaceae)". Perspectives in Plant Ecology, Evolution and Systematics. 39 125463. doi:10.1016/j.ppees.2019.125463. ISSN 1433-8319.
  6. "Types of Flowers in Dubai". gardenguides.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2023. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  7. Pokrywka, Andrzej; Obmiński, Zbigniew; Malczewska-Lenczowska, Jadwiga; Fijatek, Zbigniew; Turek-Lepa, Ewa; Grucza, Ryszard (2014-07-08). "Insights into supplements with Tribulus terrestris used by athletes". Journal of Human Kinetics. 41 (1): 99–105. doi:10.2478/hukin-2014-0037. ISSN 1899-7562. PMC 4120469. PMID 25114736.
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