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Reference · Crops

Zygophyllaceae

The Zygophyllaceae family, commonly known as the caltrop family, is a group of flowering plants adapted to extreme environments. These plants are primarily xerophytes, meaning they have evolved specialized mechanisms to thrive in arid and semi-arid climates where water scarcity is the primary limiting factor.

Main sections

Fagonia6 Kallstroemia6 Balanites5 Tetraena5 Bulnesia2 Guaiacum2 Larrea2 Balanites1 Porlieria1 Puncture vine1 Seetzenia1 Zygophyllum1
27 sections

What the section contains

Balanites Balanites Delile 1 item Balanites Balanites 5 items Bulnesia Bulnesia 2 items Fagonia Fagonia 6 items Guaiacum Guaiacum 2 items Kallstroemia Kallstroemia 6 items Larrea Larrea 2 items Mayan Bean-caper Zygophyllum mayanum Porlieria Porlieria 1 item Puncture vine Tribulus 1 item Seetzenia Seetzenia 1 item Tetraena Tetraena 5 items Tribulus bimucronatus Tribulus bimucronatus Tribulus cistoides Tribulus cistoides Tribulus macropterus Tribulus macropterus Tribulus megistopterus Tribulus megistopterus Tribulus micrococcus Tribulus micrococcus Tribulus mollis Tribulus mollis Tribulus parvispinus Tribulus parvispinus Tribulus pentandrus Tribulus pentandrus Western puncturevine Tribulus occidentalis Zygophyllum Zygophyllum 1 item Zygophyllum ammophilum Zygophyllum ammophilum Zygophyllum fontanesii Zygophyllum fontanesii Zygophyllum glutinosum Zygophyllum glutinosum Zygophyllum morgsana Zygophyllum morgsana Zygophyllum orientale Zygophyllum orientale

Zygophyllaceae

Botanically, they are identified by their opposite, often compound leaves, which frequently possess stipules. The plants exhibit a wide range of growth forms, including annual herbs, perennials, and shrubs. Their capacity to withstand saline conditions makes them unique in the botanical world.

The distribution of Zygophyllaceae is widespread across the tropics and subtropics, with significant diversity found in desert regions such as the Sahara and the deserts of Australia. Their evolutionary success is attributed to deep root systems and mechanisms for osmotic adjustment within their cells.

Cultivation requirements necessitate well-drained, porous soils that mimic their natural habitat. They are highly intolerant of waterlogging and require full sun exposure to flourish. In agricultural settings, they are often used for soil stabilization and as experimental crops for saline agriculture, where traditional farming is impossible.

Economic and хозяйственные uses include:

  • Pharmaceutical production of bioactive alkaloids and saponins.
  • Forage supply for desert-adapted livestock.
  • Soil erosion control in arid landscapes.

Common pests and diseases typically involve root rots triggered by poor drainage or localized fungal infections that thrive in micro-climates of high humidity. Effective pest management is rarely needed in open desert cultivation, but greenhouse propagation requires careful monitoring of moisture levels to prevent fungal growth.