Volume 7 > Part 2 > Year 2000 > Page 348 > Zygophyllaceae > Tribulus

2. Tribulus terrestris L.wfo-0000457857

Sp. Pl. 1: 387. 1753; Edgew. & Hook.f., Fl. Br. Ind. 1: 423. 1874; Hemsl., J. Linn. Soc. 28: 29. 1890; Craib, Fl. Siam En. 1: 205. 1931. Plate XV: 2.

Accepted Name : This is currently accepted.

Description : Annual or biennial herb, branches up to 90 cm long, coarsely hairy. Leaves (2.5–)8–9(–18) cm long; leaflets 5–7 pairs, obliquely oblong, 4–8 by 1–5 mm long, apex acute or obtuse, base oblique, entire, silky. Flowers ca 2 cm in diam; peduncle 5–10 mm long, often exceeding the petals. Sepals linear-lanceolate, 3–6 by 1–2 mm, caducous. Petals obovate, 4–8 by 3–5 mm. Stamens 8–10 in 2 whorls; filaments up to 3 mm long. Ovary ca 1 mm in diam. Fruit stalk 1–1.5 cm long; mericarps 4–5 by 2–3 mm, short and long white hairs, with 2 pairs of sharp stiff spines.

Thailand : NORTHERN: Chiang Mai (Hang Dong), Lampang, Tak (Wang Chao), Nakhon Sawan (Pak Nam Pho); NORTH-EASTERN: Loei (Si Than); EASTERN: Nakhon Ratchasima (Pak Chong), Buri Ram (Khao Phanom Rung); SOUTH-WESTERN: Kanchanaburi (Si Sawat), Prachuap Khiri Khan; CENTRAL: Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Nakhon Nayok (Khao Yai NP), Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (Bangkok).

Distribution : Widely distributed in the tropical and subtropical regions (type S Europe).

Ecology : Waste places and dry sandy soil, 0–150 m alt. Flowering: May–July.

Vernacular : Khok krasun (โคกกระสุน)(Central); nam krasun (หนามกระสุน)(Lampang); nam din (หนามดิน)(Tak).

Uses: Seeds and fruits are used in local medicine.