The Temperate Database is in the process of being updated, with new records being added and old ones being checked and brought up to date where necessary. This record has not yet been checked and updated.

Common Name: Caltrop

General Information

Tribulus terrestris is a Annual/Biennial up to 0.60 metres tall.
It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Europe - N. France and eastwards to E. Asia.

Habitat

Dry open habitats, often as a weed in Europe[]. Sandy seashores in Japan[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Annual/Biennial
Height	0.60 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

We have very little information on this species and are not sure how successful it will be in Britain. There are conflicting reports on its hardiness - according to one report it is native to N. France which should make it hardy in Britain[] whilst another report says that it is only hardy in zone 10 which means that it is not frost tolerant[]. We would suggest treating it as a frost tender annual and then experimenting with its hardiness. It is likely to require a well-drained dry to moist soil and is also likely to be tolerant of maritime exposure.
The plant is very fast growing from seed[].
A good bee plant[].

Edible Uses

Leaves and young shoots - cooked[, ]. A nutritional analysis is available[].
Fruit - cooked. The unexpanded seed capsules are ground into a powder and made into a bread[, , , ]. A famine food, it is only used when all else fails[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frost.