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Nohu, Nohunohu or Puncture vineZygophyllaceae (Caltrop family)Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands (All of the main islands to the Northwest Islands except Gardner Pinnacles and Necker)Oahu (Cultivated)Flowerwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/4999976562/in/photostream/Habitwww.flickr.com/photos/dweickhoff/4999378131/in/photostream/The Hawaiian name nohu is also the name of scorpionfishes (Scorpaenopsis cacopsis and other scorpaenids) with poisonous spines. Though the puncture vine or nohu does not have poisonous spines, the plants defend themselves just as effectively as the ocean fish with the same name.Medicinally, early Hawaiians used the leaves and roots of nohu which were pounded and used for aai (sores, ulcers) and ph (abscess, burst sores).EtymologyThe generic name Tribulus comes from the Greek word for caltrop, tribolos, a ghastly 4-pointed metal antipersonnel weapon, with one point always pointing upwards to cripple human troops, horses, camels or elephants in warfare.The specific epithet cistoides alludes the flowers similarity to the genus Cistus, also called rockrose or labdanum.NPH00001nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Tribulus_cistoides