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Puncturevine (Qutb)
القطب (الضريس) · Tribulus terrestris
A common creeping herb with small yellow flowers and sharp spiny fruits that stick to feet and tyres.
Quick facts
| Arabic name | القطب (الضريس) |
|---|---|
| English name | Puncturevine (Qutb) |
| Scientific name | Tribulus terrestris |
| Family | Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae) |
| Plant type | Creeping annual herb |
| Height | Flat on the ground |
| Water use | Low |
Planting and harvest calendar
Best time to plant
Not usually planted
Flowering time
Not harvested
Times are general for the Saudi climate and may shift a few weeks by region: cooler in the highlands and the north, warmer on the coasts and in the south.
Description
A flat plant with small compound leaves, five-petal yellow flowers and hard fruits with sharp spines.
Where it grows
Common on waste land, farms and roadsides in all regions.
Soil
Grows in most soils.
Water and irrigation
Handles drought.
Climate and light
Loves heat.
Propagation
From seeds.
Benefits and uses
- Covers bare soil
- Used in folk remedies
Drawbacks
- Spiny fruits hurt feet and animals
- Can harm livestock if eaten a lot
Sources and references
The information was collected and checked from these scientific sources:
- Plants of the World Online (POWO) - Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew: Tribulus terrestris
- Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF): Tribulus terrestris
- Wikipedia: Tribulus terrestris
- Chaudhary, S. A. (1999-2001). Flora of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Ministry of Agriculture and Water, Riyadh.
- National Center for Vegetation Cover Development and Combating Desertification (NCVC)
- Photo source: Wikimedia Commons (free license)