Puncturevine
Tribulus terrestris
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Austria, Baleares, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Bulgaria, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canary Is., Cape Verde, Caprivi Strip, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Corse, Cyprus, Czechia-Slovakia, Djibouti, DR Congo, East Aegean Is., Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, France, Gambia, Ghana, Greece, Guam, Guinea, Gulf States, Hainan, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kirgizstan, Korea, Kriti, Krym, Kuwait, Lebanon-Syria, Libya, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Mozambique Channel Is., Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Caucasus, NW. Balkan Pen., Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Sardegna, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sicilia, Sinai, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Tadzhikistan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Turkmenistan, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, Uganda
Obsidian Soul
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Zygophyllaceae
- Genus:
- Tribulus
- Species:
- Tribulus terrestris
- USDA Symbol:
- TRTE
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 30 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, nutrient-poor, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (mechanical or acid) to break physical dormancy; germinate readily in warm soil.