TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS

Family and Genus:- See- ZYGOPHYLLACEAE

Common Names:- Maltese cross, Small caltrops.

Homotypic Synonyms:- None

Meaning:- Tribulus (Gr) Three-lobes (the shape of the fruit).

Terrestris (L) Growing on the ground.

General description:- Hairy, spreading or sprawling, much-branched annual.

Stems:-

1) 10-60 cm. several slender, prostrate to decumbent, moderately branched,

± strigose-pubescent.

Leaves:-

1) Opposite, generally 2-5 cm, broadly oblong in outline, even-pinnate with 4-6 pairs

of oblong leaflets, sericeous to glabrescent.

Flowers:-

1) Opposite, solitary, appearing axillary, on slender pedicels 5-12 mm, 5-merous.

2) Sepals, 4-5 mm, lanceolate, deciduous.

3) Petals, 4.5-6 mm, narrowly obovate, yellow.

Fruit:-

1) Depressed-globose, c. 10 mm in diam., splitting at maturity into 5 hard, spiny,

indehiscent mericarps.

Click here for a glossary of terms used

Habitat:- Mostly in coastal habitats, but also gravelly roadsides, field margins and

gardens, occasionally to 1100 m.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece, but less common in the interior. - Mediterranean

region and SW Asia. Somewhat limited distribution on Crete.

Flowering time:- Much of the year, but mainly May-July.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton