Sign up for the iWire to get breaking news, event info and the species spotlight.
Go Back | Printer Friendly Fact Sheet
Federal Noxious Weed TDA Noxious Weed TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species 
Invasive Plant Atlas of the USNOTE:
means species is on that list.
Tribulus terrestris
Puncturevine
Synonym(s):
Family: Zygophyllaceae (Creosote-Bush Family)
Duration and Habit: Annual Herb
Photographer: Charles T. Bryson
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Description
Noxious summer annual, with prostrate stems up to 2.4 m long. Plants produce many stout-spined burrs that can injure people and animals and puncture bicycle tires. Foliage is toxic to livestock, especially sheep, when consumed in quantity. Fruits are used medicinally in India. Puncturevine is currently controlled by the stem weevil (Microlarinus lypriformis) and seed weevil (M. lareynii), introduced from Italy as biocontrol agents in 1961.
Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Puncturevine.
Ecological Threat: Called 'puncturevine', T. terrestris is well known for the discomfort it causes to bare-footed pedestrians and for puncturing bicycle tires. Livestock can suffer injury to their mouths, eyes, digestive tracts and skin from the burrs of T. terrestris. Painful punctures of the feet can also occur, sometimes causing suffering, infection and lameness, especially to horses. In severely infested pasture, wounds to the mouth may result in reluctance to graze, followed by loss of condition in livestock as T. terrestris is toxic to animals, mainly sheep, but also to goats and cattle.
Also is a weed of a wide range of crops, including large- and small-grain cereals, legumes, tree crops, vegetables, pastures and ornamentals.
Biology & Spread: Reproduces by seed. Nutlets disperse by adhering to tires, shoes and clothing of people, fur, feathers, and feet of animals. Most newly matured seeds are dormant and require an afterripening period of ~ 6 months to 1 year. Germination requires warm temperatures. The largest seed in a nutlet is usually the first to germinate. Other seeds may germinate or remain dormant depending on moisture availability. Buried seed can remain viable for several years. Seedlings emerge early spring through summer, often in flushes following increased soil moisture. On sandy soils, seedlings emerge from depths to ~ 5 cm (less on heavy soils). Seedlings develop a deep root system in a few weeks, and flowers may be produced within 3 weeks, burrs within 6 weeks. Plants typically bear numerous burrs (average 200-5000) until the cool season commences. In tropical regions, plants develop woody roots and become perennial.
History: Introduced from the Mediterranean region.
U.S. Habitat: Disturbed places, roadsides, railways, cultivated fields, yards, waste places, walk ways. Grows best on dry sandy soils, but tolerates most soil types. Intolerant of freezing temperatures.
Distribution
U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe
U.S. Present: AR, AZ, CA, CO, FL, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WI, WY
Distribution in Texas: Heavily reported through the western portion of Texas. Also found in central, north and south Texas.
Mapping
Invaders of Texas Map: Tribulus terrestris
EDDMapS: Tribulus terrestris
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Tribulus terrestris
Invaders of Texas Observations
List All Observations of Tribulus terrestris reported by Citizen Scientists
Native Alternatives
Puncturevine is unlikely to be confused with other weeds.
Management
Mechanical: Tillage following germination and emergence is effective. However, tillage may bury seed that remain viable in the soil for several years. Hand-pulling is feasible for small infestations and is easiest when soils are moist and the vines are long enough to grasp. Mowing is ineffective due to the prostrate growth habit of the plant.
Biological: There are two species of weevils which are being used to control puncturevine. The stem boring weevil, Microlarinus lareynii and the fruit boring weevil Microlarinus lypriformis. The insect larvae attack the seeds and stems and have given good puncturevine control. Both insects are available in California for release.
Chemical: Chlorosulfuron, 2,4-D, imazapyr, MCPA, paraquat, glyphosate, and dicamba are effective on puncturevine. Consult the label for proper rate and timing.
Text References
Holm LG, Plucknett DL, Pancho JV, Herberger JP, 1977. The World's Worst Weeds. Distribution and Biology. Honolulu, Hawaii, USA: University Press of Hawaii.
Johnson, E. 1932. The puncturevine in California. Univ. of Calif. Agric. Expt. Sta. Bull. 528: 42 pp.
Parsons WT and Cuthbertson EG (1992). Noxious Weeds of Australia. Inkata Press, Melbourne, Australia..
Squires, V.R. 1979. The biology of Australian weeds. 1. Tribulus terrestris L. J. of the Australian Inst. of Agric. Sci. 179: 75-82.
Online Resources
Encycloweedia (California Department of Food and Agriculture).
https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.54447
Search Online
Google Search: Tribulus terrestris
Google Images: Tribulus terrestris
NatureServe Explorer: Tribulus terrestris
USDA Plants: Tribulus terrestris
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Tribulus terrestris
Bugwood Network Images: Tribulus terrestris
