Family: Zygophyllaceae
Tribulus terrestris
Citation:
L., Sp. Pl. 387 (1753).
Synonymy: Tribulus terrestris Common name: Caltrop, cat-head.
Description:
Prostrate more or less villous annual; leaves opposite, unequal, with 4-7 pairs of leaflets; leaflets obliquely oblong, 5-10 mm long.
Flowers 6-15 mm diam.; sepals c. 3 mm long; petals yellow, 5-6 mm long.
Fruit 6-10 mm long, slightly hairy or tomentose; cocci rugose-muricate on the back, with 2 divergent spines 3-8 mm long in the upper part, and 2 shorter spines near the base pointing downwards; seeds 2-4 in each coccus.
Published illustration:
Cunningham et al. (1982) Plants of western New South Wales, p. 438.
Distribution:
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S.Aust.: NW, LE, NU, GT, FR, EA, EP, NL, MU, SL, SE. all mainland States.
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Conservation status:
naturalised
Flowering time: Feb. — July.
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SA Distribution Map based
on current data relating to
specimens held in the
State Herbarium of South Australia
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Biology:
The less hairy form, with usually longer spines on the fruit, in the settled districts is perhaps introduced. A common weed in warm temperate regions on all continents. It can cause nitrate poisoning, an unusual form of staggers, and has photosensitising effects in sheep; its burrs can reduce the value of wool.
Author:
Not yet available
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