Polychorous Puncture Vine Tribulus terrestris L. (Zygophyllaceae), a potential forage source for a guild of insect pollinators during the wet season

Abstract

Tribulus terrestris is a herbaceous weed capable of growing throughout the year in many habitats. It is hermaphroditic, protogynous, and self-pollinating, although it is also insect-pollinated. The insects involved in pollination use their flowers as a potential forage source by displaying fidelity during the wet season when profuse flowering occurs. The functional traits relating to sexual reproduction such as autonomous selfing, insect-pollination, polychory, and C4 photosynthetic pathway are quite advantageous for the plant to grow as a successful weed in different habitats, prominently in open habitats.