Tribulus

Legume family. Annual. In the wild it grows in the steppe regions of Asia and Europe.

This spiny plant creeps along the surface of the soil; it can be used as a groundcover and trailing (ampelous) plant, and also when creating rock gardens and in dried bouquets. As introduction studies have shown, the species changes significantly in cultivation. With sparse planting of seedlings (or when sown thinly) it produces numerous (7–11) shoots, forming a bush up to 70 cm in diameter. Already in July the plant is simultaneously covered with bright yellow flowers and spiny fruits. Individual shoots or the whole plant, after spreading the branches, are dried while suspended. In cultivation the plant is undemanding, but it is sensitive to frost, so seeds must be collected and shoots harvested before frost occurs.