Tribulus sp.
Puncture vine, caltrop, Caltrop
Family: Zygophyllaceae · Type: Annual · Not Native
Tribulus sp. (Puncture vine) is a non-native California annual in the Zygophyllaceae family.
How to tell it apart
vs Kallstroemia: Tribulus fruits have 2-4 stout puncturing spines; Kallstroemia fruits are merely bumpy without spines.; vs Euphorbia: Tribulus has compound feather-like leaves; Euphorbia has simple leaves and milky sap when broken.; vs Erodium: Tribulus fruits have short stout spines; Erodium fruits have long corkscrew-like beaks.; vs Malva: Tribulus has feather-like compound leaves; Malva has rounded lobed simple leaves.; vs Argentina: Tribulus has compound leaves with many small leaflets; Argentina has pinnate leaves with larger toothed leaflets.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tribulus sp. native to California?
No. Tribulus sp. is not native to California (recorded as not native).
What plant family does Tribulus sp. belong to?
Tribulus sp. is in the Zygophyllaceae family, genus Tribulus.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-04-14
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.