Evaluation of Morphological Diversity in Chota Gokhru (Tribulus terrestris L.) and Bara Gokhru (Pedalium murex L.)

An attempt has been made to study the morphological diversity of chota gokhru (Tribulus terrestris L.) and Bara gokhru (Pedalium murex L.), collected from different geographical and agro-climatic regions of Agra and adjoining areas. Both the herbs springing up soon after the first showers in the month of June. T. terrestris L. abundantly found in this region. However, P. murex L. was rarely observed on road side as well as protected areas. The great deal of morphological diversity collected from various parts of Agra. Tribulus terrestris is perennial prostrate herb with spreading branches up to 100 cm. However, at the bank of riverYamuna it showed great morphological diversity in plant height as well as leaf size. P. murex is erect herb, 2–3 feet in height and leaves are broad in size showed the variability. The fruit of T. terrestris are globose, hard and brown in colour, mature fruit split into 5-segmented nutlets (seeds). Seeds are hard and bear 2–3 sharp spines, 10 mm long and 4–6 mm broad point to point. The fruits of P. murex are as indehiscent capsules 1–2 cm x 0.5–1 cm, hard, pyramidal, 4-angles with a spreading. It exhibits variability in fruit and seed characters, shape, size and colour. The fruits and seeds are of high medicinal value as they are used for treatment of various diseases.