Tribulus macropterus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Tribulus macropterus var. collenetteae
• Tribulus persicus
• Tribulus pentandrus var. macropterus
• Tribulus longipetalus var. macropterus
• Tribulus ehrenbergii
• Tribulus longipetalus subsp. macropterus
• Tribulus alatus var. monodii
• Tribulus alatus var. saharae
• Tribulus alatus var. vespertilio
• Tribulus macropterus var. anisopterus
• Tribulus macropterus var. brevistylus

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and is classified under the class Equisetopsida. As a member of the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Zygophyllales, it is further categorized into the family Zygophyllaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Tribulus as Tribulus macropterus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of locations across the African continent. Within Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the territories of Algeria, Egypt, and Libya. Its presence extends further west into Morocco, marking a significant part of its regional reach. Additionally, the species is distributed within West Tropical Africa, specifically inhabiting Mali. Together, these regions define the primary geographical footprint of Tribulus macropterus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Tribulus macropterus is characterized by its presence in diverse terrain, specifically favoring plains, riverine areas, sandy substrates, and stony places. This species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, thriving within an elevational range that begins at 700 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1000 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

700 m AMSL

Habitat :

plains, rivers, sand, stony places

Life history

The life history of Tribulus macropterus is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire biological development—from germination to seed production—within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it survives unfavorable environmental conditions by producing hardy seeds that remain dormant in the soil, allowing the plant to avoid periods of extreme heat or drought. This life form is defined by its strategy of spending the majority of its existence in a seed state, with the vegetative structure appearing only temporarily to rapidly exploit favorable moisture and temperature levels.

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Tribulus macropterus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb that functions as an independent organism, lacking any parasitic relationship. This plant exhibits a versatile habitat preference, capable of thriving in aquatic, semiaquatic, or terrestrial environments. In terms of physical stature, it is a relatively small species, with a plant height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.4 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.4 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Reproduction

The reproduction of Tribulus macropterus is characterized by a distinct seasonal flowering period that dictates its reproductive cycle. The onset of flowering typically begins in April, marking the transition into its active reproductive phase. This flowering period continues through the spring and early summer months, reaching its conclusion in June. While the specific timing of these reproductive stages can be variable depending on environmental conditions, the seasonal window remains concentrated within these months to facilitate pollination and subsequent seed development.

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Tribulus macropterus has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include D-Pinitol, sucrose.

D-Pinitol

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

sucrose

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Activities

Tribulus macropterus has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cytotoxic.

Antioxidant

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Cytotoxic

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Tribulus macropterus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include methanolic extracts.

Methanolic extracts

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)