Tribulus Fruit (Five-ridged radiating shape, long and short awl-shaped thorns, net pattern, hard, with seeds inside the fruit)

(Top) Tribulus Fruit (Bottom) Astragalus Complanatus Seed

【Name】

Tribulus Fruit

【Source】

Shen Nong’s Herbal Classic, Superior Class

【Common Usage Level】

D

【Botanical Origin】

The dried ripe fruit of Tribulus terrestris L. in the Zygophyllaceae family.

【Characteristics】

It is a schizocarp, and the fruit is aggregated from 5 mericarps (aggregation of five fruits), presenting a radiating five-ridged shape. Sometimes they are separated. It is 6-10mm in diameter. Some exist individually. The mericarp is shaped like an axe or an orange segment. The surface of the mericarp is greenish-white or grayish-white, with a raised back, longitudinal lines, and wart-like protrusions. There are many reticulations and small thorns. There is a pair of long thorns and a pair of short thorns on each side. The side has a reticulated pattern, split in an eight-character shape. After the hard thorns are removed by milling, residual broken marks and surface reticulations can be seen. It is hard in texture, pricks the hand, odorless, and tastes bitter and pungent.

【Identification】

The best quality is dry, grayish-white, with large and uniform grains, firm, without sharp thorns, and free of impurities.

【Category】

Fruits