Description
Caltrop is an herbaceous annual that commonly grows prostrated on the ground. Large plants can reach 3-4 feet in length. The small leaves are pinnate and are arranged in pairs. The flowers are 5-petaled and are greenish-yellow to bright orange. The mature fruit is small and breaks up into 8-12 nutlets. Caltrop superficially resembles Puncturevine.
Kallstroemia grandiflora is the largest Caltrop of the three species profiled here. Its many branched stems can reach lengths of 4 feet. They have stiff, prominent yellow hairs as do the leaves (although they are smaller and are isolated mainly to the outer margins). The leaves are 1-3 inches long and have 3-7 sets of smaller leaflets. The large orange flowers are prominent and are between 2/3-1¼ inches long. They are solitary and attached to smaller stems originating from the leaf axils. The oval seedpods split into 8-12 nutlets or carpels.
Kallstroemia californica is smaller in stature than K. grandiflora. The stems and leaves are almost completely lacking hairs. The ¼-½ inch long leaflets are arranged into 3-7 sets. The orange-yellow flowers have small petals; the seedpods separate into 8-12 wedge-shaped nutlets. K. parviflora is a 1-3 foot long plant with few white stem hairs. The leaves are composed of 3-5 sets of leaflets. The flowers, like K. californica, are small; the petals are typically a ¼-inch long. The small fruits are similar to the others.
Distribution
In southern California Kallstroemia grandiflora is found along with Creosote bush around 900 feet in elevation. In central and southern Arizona, the plant is encountered below 5000 feet, often in disturbed soils, but generally on open slopes, flats, and mesas. It is also found in similar areas in New Mexico and east to Texas. K. parviflora enjoys a wider range; from 5,000-6,000 feet in southern California it is found east to Mississippi. K. californica is found throughout most of Arizona, between 100-7,000 feet, throughout southeastern California, and north to southern Colorado.
Chemistry
Flavonoids: quercetin, isorhamnetin, and tricin
Medicinal Uses
Caltrop is an interesting mix of mild astringent and alterative. Internally the tea is lessening to diarrhea and is mildly sedating to gastrointestinal tract inflammation. Passive hemorrhaging of the urinary tract as well as menorrhea is lessened. Caltrop’s relation to other alterative plants in the same family such as Creosote bush and Guaiacum suggest that it is well used in low-grade, chronic inflammatory conditions. Traditional use supports the notion that the plant is indicated internally (externally as well) for hive outbreaks, rashes, and fevers. Think of the plant as a diminutive Creosote bush and because of its mildness it can be used longer-term for many of the same conditions. The isotonic tea used as an eyewash is soothing to conjunctivitis and allergy induced eye irritation.
Indications
Diarrhea
GI tract inflammation
Menorrhea
Hives/rashes (internal and external)
Conjunctivitis (eyewash)
Collection
Gather and dry the entire plant, small taproot included.
Preparations and Dosage
Herb infusion: 4 ounces 3 times daily
Eyewash: 2-3 times daily
Cautions
To err on the side of caution, do not use during pregnancy or while nursing.