Puncture Vine

Appearance

"Tribulus terrestris" is a taprooted herbaceous plant that grows as a summer annual in temperate climates.

Naming

Like many weedy species, this plant has numerous common names according to the world region, including goat's-head, bindii, bullhead, burra gokharu, bhakhdi, caltrop, small caltrops, cat's-head, devil's eyelashes, devil's-thorn, devil's-weed, puncture vine, and tackweed.The Greek word, τρίβολος meaning 'water-chestnut', translated into Latin as "tribulos". The Latin name "tribulus" originally meant the caltrop, but in Classical times already the word meant this plant as well.

Distribution

Native to the Mediterranean region, "T. terrestris" is widespread throughout the world from latitudes 35°S to 47°N. It is distributed across warm temperate and tropical regions of southern Europe, southern Asia, throughout Africa, New Zealand, and Australia. It is present across the United States and in Central and South America. Over the 20th century, the vine appeared in California and became distributed northward, eventually appearing in the Okanagan Valley of south-central British Columbia, Canada where it is classified as a noxious weed.

Status

It has been unintentionally introduced to North America and Australia. An aggressive and hardy invasive species, "T. terrestris" is widely known as a noxious weed because of its small woody fruit – the bur – having long sharp and strong spines which easily penetrate surfaces such as the bare feet or thin shoes of crop workers and other pedestrians, the rubber of bicycle tires, and the mouths and skin of grazing animals.

Habitat

A network of fine rootlets arise from the taproot to take advantage of soil moisture, by which the plant can survive in arid conditions. It grows in almost any soil, but thrives in dry, loose, sandy soils, and even in sand or in deserts. It can prosper in heavier soils, especially if fertile or moist, and on compacted soils along roadsides.

Food

Although its extract is used as a dietary supplement with the belief that it increases testosterone levels mainly for body-builders, "T. terrestris" failed to increase testosterone levels in controlled studies, and has not been proven to be safe. There is no evidence it has strength-enhancing properties, or anabolic steroid effects for use as a body-building supplement.

Defense

Toxic compounds in the plant are known to cause liver damage when ingested at harmful dosages. When ingested, phylloerythrin accumulates in the blood as a byproduct of chlorophyl degradation; however, adverse reactions have not been confirmed in humans.

In sheep, consumption of "T. terrestris" causes tribulosis, also known as 'geeldikkop', which is a type of photodermatitis.

Uses

The plant is widely naturalized in the Americas and also in Australia south of its native range. In some states in the United States, it is considered a noxious weed and an invasive species. It is a "declared plant" in South Australia.

The leaves and shoots are eaten in East Asia. The stems have been used as a thickener, added to diluted buttermilk to give it the appearance of undiluted buttermilk.