Puncture Vine
Goat's Head
Tribulus terrestris
Photographed in coastal Kenya near Mombasa, Kenya. January 2012.
The seeds of this plant are its
claim to fame. The developing fruit in the photo will soon split apart into
several sections each shaped like a tetrahedron and tipped on the corners by
strong, sharp points. Bicycle tires and feet are often impaled resulting in
damage or injury. At a new location the seeds are dislodged and thereby
distributed far and wide. The flowers are small and yellow with five petals.
The leaves are pinnately compound and are hairy. The vine-like, herbaceous
plants creep along the ground spreading out a meter or more when growing in
ideal conditions.
This plant is native to the African continent, but has been introduced to tropical and subtropical regions globally. Prevalence of Tribulus in disturbed habitats is enhanced by its toxicity to livestock.