Overview
Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi is a plant species that belongs to the Zygophyllaceae family. This fast-growing plant is native to the dry savannah regions of Africa.
Common Names
The plant is commonly known as "Caltrop" or "Devil's Thorn" due to the sharp spines on its fruit. In many African countries, it is known as "Kokokara," "Kokim," "Gyamma," or "Sakwiya" in Nigeria.
Appearance
The plant has green, pinnate leaves with five to eight leaflets that are lanceolate to narrowly oblong, measuring 1-2.5 cm wide and 4-15 cm long. The flowers are small and yellow or cream-colored, with five petals. The fruit is a woody capsule that is disc-like, five-angled, and spiny, measuring 10-15 mm in diameter with two sharp thorns on each side. The plant can reach a height of 1 meter and a diameter of 3 meters.
Uses
Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus has various medicinal uses. The roots, leaves, and fruit of the plant can be used to treat various ailments such as headache, fever, jaundice, and hypertension. The plant is used in traditional medicine for its wound-healing and anti-inflammatory properties. In many African countries, the spiny fruit is used as a natural contraceptive, while the roots are used to increase sperm count and improve libido. Additionally, the plant is used as a green manure plant to improve soil fertility and prevent soil erosion. The fruit is also used as a natural trap to control pests by piercing their feet and keeping them away from crops.
Growth Conditions for Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi
Light Requirements: Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi generally grows in areas with full sunlight exposure. The plant thrives in locations with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. It is not suited for areas with heavy shade, as this slows growth and diminishes the plant's overall health and vitality.
Temperature Requirements: This plant is naturally adapted to arid and semi-arid climates. It prefers high temperatures, with optimum growth occurring in areas with temperatures ranging between 25°C - 34°C (77°F - 93°F). During the cold season, the plant can survive temperature reductions of up to 5°C (41°F) but it may enter a state of dormancy.
Soil Requirements: Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi thrives in well-drained soils with good fertility. The plant grows optimally on soils with a pH range of 6-8; outside of this range, growth is typically slow and stunted. The soil texture should ideally be sandy or loamy and rich in organic matter. The plant can grow in soils with low fertility, but this conditions often produce plants with lower yields and more vulnerable to disease and pest damage.
Cultivation
Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi, also known as puncturevine or goathead, is a hardy plant that thrives well in tropical and subtropical regions. It prefers well-draining soils, such as sandy loam and red clay soils, with a pH range of 6 to 8.
When planting, ensure that the seeds are sown at a depth of about 5mm into the soil. The best time to plant is during the rainy season, but if you intend to plant during the dry season, you must provide adequate irrigation to establish the plants.
Watering Needs
Puncturevine is a drought-resistant plant, but it needs a moderate amount of water to grow and produce fruits. As a rule of thumb, you should water your puncturevine plants at least once a week, or more frequently if exposed to intense heat and sunlight.
Overwatering can lead to root rot and reduce plant vigor, so make sure the soil is allowed to dry before watering again.
Fertilization
Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi responds well to organic fertilizers like compost, animal manure, and green manure. Before planting, you can incorporate compost into the soil to enrich it with essential nutrients.
During the growing period, you should add a balanced NPK fertilizer (10:10:10) every two months to promote flower and fruit production.
Pruning
Puncturevine does not require pruning as it grows in a natural trailing or sprawling form. Nonetheless, you can choose to trim the plant back to limit its growth, shape it, or remove any diseased or dead branches.
If you’re growing puncturevine as a ground cover or as a border plant, you can prune the plant to help spread its growth in specific areas and suppress weed growth.
Propagation of Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi
Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi can be propagated through various methods such as seed propagation, vegetative propagation, and cuttings propagation.
Seed Propagation
The easiest and most common way to propagate Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi is through seed propagation. The seeds can be obtained from the mature fruits, which are hard and woody with numerous spines. The seeds must be collected when they are ripe and dried properly to prevent any fungal or bacterial infection. They can be sown in the soil during the spring season or indoors in the early fall season. The seeds should be sown at a depth of 1 to 2 cm and 5 to 7 cm apart from each other. They require well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5 and should be kept moist and warm until germination, which could take up to 2 to 3 weeks.
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation of Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi can be done through root or stem cuttings. Root cuttings should be taken from the mature plant during the dormant season. They should be 10 to 15 cm long and treated with a rooting hormone before planting. The cuttings should be buried 2 to 3 cm in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. Stem cuttings, on the other hand, should be taken from the young shoots of the mature plant during the growing season. They should be 8 to 10 cm long and planted in well-drained soil with a pH range of 6.0 to 7.5. The cuttings should be kept moist and shaded until they establish roots and develop new growth.
Cuttings Propagation
Cuttings propagation of Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi can be done through root or stem cuttings, as mentioned above in the vegetative propagation section.
Disease and Pest Management for Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi
Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi is a highly valued medicinal plant that is used for the treatment of various ailments. To keep the plant healthy and productive, it is essential to manage diseases and pests. Here are some of the common diseases and pests that are likely to affect the plant and ways to manage them:
Diseases
1. Leaf spot diseases: Leaf spot diseases are caused by fungi and bacteria. Symptoms include the appearance of dark spots on the leaves. To manage these diseases, remove the affected leaves and destroy them. Spray the plant with a copper-based fungicide to prevent the spread of the disease.
2. Powdery mildew: Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that affects the leaves and stems of the plant. Symptoms include the appearance of a white powdery substance on the surface of the leaves. To manage this disease, prune the affected parts of the plant and destroy them. Apply a fungicide to the plant to prevent the spread of the disease.
3. Root rot: Root rot is a fungal disease that affects the roots of the plant. Symptoms include the yellowing and wilting of the leaves. To manage this disease, remove the affected parts of the plant and improve the drainage of the soil. Ensure that the plant is not overwatered.
Pests
1. Aphids: Aphids are small insects that feed on the sap of the plant. Symptoms of an infestation include the curling of leaves and the appearance of sticky residue on the leaves. To manage an infestation, spray the plant with a mixture of water and dish soap. Alternatively, release ladybugs into your garden, as they are natural predators of aphids.
2. Spider mites: Spider mites are tiny insects that feed on the leaves of the plant. Symptoms of an infestation include the appearance of yellow and brown spots on the leaves. To manage an infestation, remove the affected leaves and spray the plant with water to remove the mites. Apply a miticide to the plant to prevent the mites from returning.
3. Whiteflies: Whiteflies are small, winged insects that feed on the sap of the plant. Symptoms of an infestation include the appearance of white flies around the plant and the yellowing of leaves. To manage an infestation, spray the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil. These products kill the insects on contact.
By managing diseases and pests, you can keep your Tribulus zeyheri Sond. subsp. macranthus (Hassk.) Hadidi plant healthy and productive. Regular inspection and early detection of any infestations or diseases is key to preventing further damage to the plant.
