Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Family: Zygophyllaceae (Creosote-Bush Family)

Synonym(s):

Duration: Annual

Habit: Herb

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

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.

History: Introduced from the Mediterranean region.

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.

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.

US 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

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe

US States: 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

Resembles/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.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

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.

Data Source

Encycloweedia (California Department of Food and Agriculture).

https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/10.1079/cabicompendium.54447

Last Updated: 2024-02-08 by ARMO, TISI