Description

Also known as Tribulus terristris, Puncture Vine, Caltrop, Yellow Vine, Goat Head, Devil’s Thorn, Devil’s Weed, Tackweed, Ground Caltrop, Mexican Sand-burr, Bullhead, Cats Head, Texas Sand-burr, Gokshura

Introduction Tribulus terrestris, also known as the puncture vine, grows naturally in many places throughout the world, including North and South America, Africa, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. In many places, it is considered a pest weed that grows in vacant lots and on roadsides, but the indigenous populations have often had a different use for the noxious weed. Tribulus fruits consist of several single-seeded nutlets, each of which bears two or three spikes sharp enough to puncture bicycle tires. In southern Africa these spikes have been sometimes coated with the sap of Acokanthera venenata (bushman’s poison, a cardiotoxin) and used to commit homicide.

For educational purposes only This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.