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Animals | Plants | Environment |
Tribulus
Scientific name: Tribulus cistoides
Other name: Puncture Vine
The tribulus is a vine that spreads broadly and grows low to the ground. It has small leaves and bright yellow or white flowers.
The seeds of the tribulus are protected inside a spiny shell, with about 5 to 6 seeds in each shell. The spiny pods for the seed are the reason the plant is called "puncture vine."
Tribulus plant in Galápagos. (Photo, Alexis Fisher)
Tribulus plant in in Maui, Hawaii. The plant is very similar to the one found in the Galápagos. (Photo, Forest & Kim Starr, US Geological Survey)
Tribulus plant with fruit containing the seed pods.
Moku Manu, Oahu, Hawaii. (Photo, Forest & Kim Starr, US Geological Survey)
Tribulus seed pods on ground with a new tribulus prant beginning to sprout. Moku Manu, Oahu, Hawaii. (Photo, Forest & Kim Starr, US Geological Survey)
Data Collected
Properties of Seeds
Seed Length | 5.8 mm |
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Seed Volume | 12.0 mm |
Seed Rigidity | Hard |