Onehunga, Prickle Weed

(Tribulus Terrestris) A prostrate annual weed bearing spiny fruits that stick to clothing and pet hair and are painful to walk on. Native to the Mediterranean region but now spread world-wide, it commonly occurs in lawns during the summer, flowering and seeding within a few months. Its fine, almost fern-like foliage and small white flowers appear inconspicuous initially but it is capable of rapid dissemination especially in waste land and agricultural pastures. It is responsible for several health issues in livestock, including the ‘staggers’ and light sensitivity.