Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)

Puncturevine is easily distinguishable by its yellow flowers.                     Image by: Konrad Kauer

Puncturevine is easily distinguishable by its yellow flowers.                     Image by: Konrad Kauer

A class “B” noxious weed in Benton County

A young puncturevine plant. Image by: Konrad Kauer 

A young puncturevine plant. Image by: Konrad Kauer 

     Be on the lookout for Puncturevine, aka "goatheads" or "tackweed." It'll be making its appearance anytime now! Puncturevine produces many burs with sharp spines that can injure humans and animals. It is well known for puncturing bicycle tires and impaling shoes, feet and paws. Diligent hand pulling works best in moist soil, during flowering and can be very effective. However, once the burs begin to develop, you will need a good pair heavy gloves. 

       Learning how to identify puncture vine seedlings is recommended so that you can remove them before they flower. 

Identify:

What happens when puncturevine isn't controlled. Image by: Konrad Kauer. 

What happens when puncturevine isn't controlled. Image by: Konrad Kauer. 

       Puncturevine tends to grow close to the ground (prostrate) a single plant is like a mat, extending out as far as 6-8 feet. It often grows in disturbed areas such as roadsides and ditch banks, but can also be a problem in irrigated crops. 

      The fruit is a woody burr with sharp, rigid spines. The small, yellow flowers are borne on short stalks at leaf nodes.

      Punturevine reproduces by seeds contained within the "goathead." Stems and leaves of the plant are covered with hairs. Leaves are mostly 2/17 to 1/5 of an inch (3–5 cm) long when mature, finely divided into three to seven pairs of leaflets, and opposite to one another along the stem. It is a mat-forming, broadleaf plant with an extensive root system. Flowering takes place from March through October. Flowers are bright yellow, about 1/5 to 3/5 of an inch (5–15 mm) in diameter, and are produced singly where the stem and leaf stalk meet. They open only on sunny mornings, except in shady areas.

 

Control:

      "Traditionally, landscape maintenance companies and homeowners have used various herbicides to control puncture vine in and around commercial and residential landscapes. Pre-emergent herbicides containing oryzalin or trifluralin applied in spring will kill seedlings as they germinate during summer. Selective herbicides can be used in situations where puncture vine has invaded lawn areas. When correctly applied, a selective herbicide will kill puncture vine (and other broadleaf weeds) but not harm the grass. There are many selective and pre-emergent herbicide products available. Some of these are not labeled for use on puncture vine, so always read the product label before buying." - Backyard Gardener https://cals.arizona.edu/yavapai/anr/hort/byg/archive/managingpuncturevine.html

Naming of companies or products is neither meant to imply endorsement by the author nor criticism of similar companies or products not mentioned


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