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Class B Noxious Weed

Punturevine
Tribulus terrestris
 

Punturevine flower


Plant family: Zygophyllaceae
Year listed:
Native to: Mediterranean

Why is it a noxious weed?

Puncturevine is a toxic plant and a serious weed in pastures, roadsides, waste places, and cultivated fields. The spines of the fruit can cause damage to the feet of animals and people. If growing in orchards or vineyards, it is a problem to the fruit pickers. If grazing animals happen to eat a bur, it may cause injury to the mouth, stomach and intestines.

How would I identify it?
General Description:  Puncturevine is a prostrate annual herb, from a simple, woody taproot. The fruit is a woody burr with sharp, rigid spines (strong enough to puncture bicycle tires or penetrate shoe soles).

Leaves:

  • opposite
  • oblong
  • short-petioled
  • 1 - 3 inches long
  • divide into pinnate leaflets
  • each leaflet 1/4 inch long

Flowers:

  • small, yellow
  • 5 petals

Stems:

  • numerous
  • up to 6 feet long
  • forms a dense mat

How does it reproduce?
Puncturevine reproduces by seed.

Where does it grow?

Puncturevine is found in pastures, roadsides, waste places, parks, agricultural areas.

What is the distribution in Washington State?

 

 

 

Click on map to enlarge.
  • Puncturevine has been documented in 15 counties in eastern Washington, as well as San Juan county. Refer to map for distribution levels in specific counties.
  • If you think you may have seen this weed, please contact your county weed coordinator or us at noxiousweeds@agr.wa.gov.

 

  • Distribution map based on 2003 data.

 

How do I control it?

General control methods:

Cultural: Repeated cultivation just after germination is an effective control. If burrs are produced before cultivation, it is necessary to remove the plants and burrs and burn them.

Herbicide: Please refer to the PNW Weed Management Handbook, or contact your county noxious weed coordinator.

Mechanical: Information not available at this time.

Biological: Two weevils, Microlarinus lareynii and M. lypriformis, native to India, France and Italy, have been introduced into the United States as biocontrol agents. The larvae attack the seed and stems and have given reasonably good results.

For more information
For more information, download our Written Findings.

 

More Photos-Click photo to enlarge
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punturevine infestation
Punturevine infestation, notice the mat formation.

 Last updated July 02, 2008