大花蒺藜 da hua ji li

Tribulus taiwanensis T. C. Huang & T. H. Hsieh.

Herbs, perennial, prostrate to ascending. Stems 30-60 cm, densely pubescent; old branches with nodes, furrowed. Stipules opposite, 2.5-4.5 cm. Leaves with 8-14 leaflets; petiole very short; leaflet blades oblong to obovate-oblong, 6-15 × 3-6 mm, abaxially pilose, adaxially villous, base oblique, apex obtuse to acute. Flower ca. 3 cm in diam. Pedicel equal to or longer than leaves. Sepals lanceolate, ca. 8 mm, villous. Petals obovate-oblong, ca. 2 cm. Ovary yellowish hispid. Schizocarp 0.8-1.2 cm, with 4 spines or murications. Fl. May-Jun. 2n = 12, 24, 36.

Beaches, sandy areas along seashores or river margins; usually near sea level. Hainan, Taiwan, Yunnan (along Yuan Jiang) [throughout tropics].