Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris)

Family: Zygophyllaceae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Tribulus terrestris is a ANNUAL/BIENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a fast rate. It is frost tender. It is in flower from April to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Fruit, Leaves, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary 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. — Leaves and young shoots - cooked.; A nutritional analysis is available.; 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.

Habitat & North American Range

Dry open habitats, often as a weed in Europe. Sandy seashores in Japan. (Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8)