Seed Pod Identification ? ?
Submitted: Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 19:33
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Member - Scrubby (VIC)
Does anyone know the name of the plant that this seed pod belongs to ?
This plant was growing in central Australia near the Lambert Center, unfortunately I didn`t photograph the plant as such. The photos of the pod show that it is a prostrate plant with leaves similar to Swainsona.
unknown seed pod
unknown seed pod
I know this thread should probably be in the wildflower section, I thought I may get more readers here.
Thanks,
Scrubby
Reply By: Member - Min (NSW) - Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 20:39
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 20:39
Hi Scrubby,
How puzzling! Having consulted my favourite field guide, 'Plants of Inland Australia by Philip Moore', I can't see any description of pods that comes anywhere near it. Those spikes or thorns in between each flute make me wonder if it's a weed.
I hope someone comes up with an answer.
Min
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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 21:43
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 21:43
Thanks Min,
I also have searched and goggled etc. and can`t find it. Thus this post.
Thanks again,
Scrubby.
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Reply By: Joe Fury - Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 22:54
Wednesday, Jul 23, 2014 at 22:54
G'day Scrubby
Your images are of the Caltrop ~ Genus Tribulus.
Tribulus macrocarpus, this species has a leaf with 12 to 14 leaflets.
The flower(s) are yellow and about 1cm in diameter.
The globular fruit has 5 wings, each of which has 2 spines.
This plant is quite common throughout the
Pilbara and grows mainly in disturbed ground/soil.
Safe travels : Joe
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Follow Up By: Bazooka - Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 00:12
Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 00:12
Thought the leaf and runners looked like what we called bindii as kids but I've never seen one with the pod/fruit like in Scrubby's
pic and nothing like it comes up in Google image.
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Follow Up By: Bob Y. - Qld - Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 11:09
Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 11:09
Scrubby,
Agree with Joe, it's one of the Tribulus family,
We've got astrocarpus and hystrix over here in channel country, but both have somewhat different fruit to your photo.
Once fruit dries, they end up stuck onto anything :-)
Bob
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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 13:34
Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 13:34
G`day Joe,
I reckon you have got it, sorry mate there is no prize but thanks anyway.
Scrubby
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Reply By: Member - John and Val - Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 12:54
Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 12:54
Hi Scrubby,
In this listing
here on Florabase there is a glimpse of a seedpod that looks very similar, suggesting that Joe has it right. Common name Caltrop - some are native, but there are also a fair few introduced Caltrop species that have weed status. They certainly have an efficient seed distribution system with plenty of hooks/spines to stick into fur, clothes, tyres etc to hitch a ride.
Cheers,
Val
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Follow Up By: Member - Scrubby (VIC) - Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 13:48
Thursday, Jul 24, 2014 at 13:48
G`day Val,
As you know this one has been a real battle, looking at other references for photos of Tribulus macrocarpus ( Joe`s suggestion), I am pretty sure he is correct.
My thanks to you and every one who helped.
Scrubby.
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