Well, you know me. I like to look in disturbed areas for plants generally regarded as weeds. Here's one.
This is Tribulus terrestris, Puncture Vine. It originates in the Mediterranean apparently but through its hardiness is found all over the world in almost all climates. Tribulus is only a diminutive, ground-cover plant but its sharp, spiky seeds can cause nastly sores on your feet.
In many countries it's used as a libido enhancer, especially for women but the jury's still out on how it chemically works.
I saw this particular one up a little dusty dead-end in Al Qurum. According to the wonderful Field Guide to the Wild Plants of Oman by Helen Pickering and Annette Patzelt there are several species of Tribulus in Oman and I may thus be wrong on the specifics of this one. They're distinguished by the shape of their seeds, which I didn't see. But the photo of the flower in the book and mine are similar.
Loading contexts...
