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Zygophyllaceae
Puncture Vine
Tribulus terrestris
Tenacity and survival.
- Family
- Zygophyllaceae
- Genus
- Tribulus
- Native to
- Southern Europe, Africa, Asia
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Type
- annual
- Height
- 2-4 in (spreading 3-6 ft)
- Sunlight
- full sun
- Soil
- sandy, dry, poor
- Water
- low
- Hardiness
- 4-12
- Lifespan
- annual
Did you know
- Its spiny seed pods are strong enough to puncture bicycle tires, earning it the nickname 'goathead' or 'devil's thorn.'
- The plant has been used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine for centuries to boost vitality and energy.
- It can complete its entire life cycle in as little as three weeks under favorable hot, dry conditions.
- Puncture vine seeds can remain viable in the soil for up to five years, making eradication extremely difficult.
- Two species of weevils from India were introduced to the United States as biological control agents against this invasive plant.
Color meanings
0
tenacity
1
hardship
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survival