CalPhotos    Photo Database

Tribulus terrestris; Mexican Sandbur   

Contributors      Log In  
 

click photo for larger file
Tribulus terrestris
Tribulus terrestris
Mexican Sandbur
Photographer: Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

ID: 0000 0000 0319 0898 (2019-03-23)

Copyright © 2019 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy

 
INFORMATION PROVIDED WITH THE PHOTO
  • date of photo  Jun 25, 2014
  • latitude 44.63957   longitude 14.39441     View on Google Maps.
  • location   Adriatic Sea, island Lošinj, village Sveti Jakov, access road to the house Sv. Jakov 27, Rijeka region. (Kvarner bay, Croatia)
  • notes   Slo.: navadna zobačica - syn.: Tribulus lanuginosus L - Habitat: stony road side, ruderal, calcareous, skeletal ground; almost flat terrain; sunny, open place; elevation 45 m (150 feet); average precipitations ~ 900 mm/year, average temperature 12 - 14 deg C, Sub-Mediterranean phytogeographical region. - Substratum: soil. - Comment: Tribulus terrestris is according to Aeschimann et al (2004) (Ref.:4) a Mediterranean plan. It can be found also in the warmest part of Slovenia close to Adriatic Sea. It is often a weed of extensively cultivated land, growing on ruderal places, on dirt path edges. It is present also in garrigue. It loves open, sunny and dry places. Leaves on low, long, widely spreading stalks are pinnate, but without terminal leaflets (even pinnate). All plant is covered with distinct, long, silvery hairs (but it is sometimes also glabrous). A 'special' Mediterranean summer experience are its fruits. They are encased in hard, roundish shells with one or more sharp, nasty thorns (see one, not yet ripe on Picture 9, down-right). In spite of the fact that they are small, it can be quite painful if stepped on them barefoot, or sit on them in swimwear. If this happens to you recall that the plant's flowers are beautiful. - Tribulus terrestris is a very old medicinal plant known as a general health supporter, improving blood sugar control and cholesterol levels, etc.. It is especially famous for healing sexual problems. Many scientific and 'scientific' research proved its effectiveness but also many scientific and 'scientific' investigations denied its effects. Regardless of this, hundreds of products based on this plant are on the market. - Ref.: (1) A. Martinči et all., Mala Flora Slovenije (Flora of Slovenia - Key) (in Slovenian), Tehnična Založba Slovenije (2007), p 347. (2) M. Blamey, C. Grey-Wilson, Wild Flowers of the Mediterranean, A & C Black, London (2005), p 115. (3) R. Domac, Flora Hrvatske (Flora of Croatia) (in Croatian), Školska Knjiga, Zagreb (1994), p 151. (4) D. Aeschimann, K. Lauber, D.M. Moser, J.P. Theurillat, Flora Alpina, Vol. 1., Haupt (2004), p 1050.
  • camera   Canon G11, 6.1-30mm/f2.8-4.5
  • contributor's ID #  Bot_806/2014_DSC1305
  • photo category: Plant - annual/perennial

  • MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PLANT
  • common names   Mexican Sandbur, Maltese Cross, Small Caltrops, Puncture Vine, Devil's Weed (photographer)
  • View all photos in CalPhotos of Tribulus terrestris
  • Check Google Images for Tribulus terrestris


  • The photographer's identification Tribulus terrestris has not been reviewed. Click here to review or comment on the identification.

     
    Using this photo   The thumbnail photo (128x192 pixels) on this page may be freely used for personal or academic purposes without prior permission under the Fair Use provisions of US copyright law as long as the photo is clearly credited with © 2019 Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy. For other uses, or if you have questions, contact Dr. Amadej Trnkoczy amadej.trnkoczy[AT]siol.net. (Replace the [AT] with the @ symbol before sending an email.)


     

    Copyright © 1995-2023 UC Regents. All rights reserved.

    CalPhotos is a project of BNHM     University of California, Berkeley