Where does it grow? Contact Us

Puncturevine is often found on dry or gravely If you have questions about puncturevine sites, like roadsides, waste places and railroad control, identification or about other noxious yards. It also grows in agricultural areas such as weeds, we can help. Please contact us at: pastures, rangelands, orchards and vineyards. WA State Noxious Weed Control Board P.O. Box 42560; Olympia, WA 98504 Though more commonly found in eastern 360-725-5764 Washington, puncturevine grows on both the http://www.nwcb.wa.gov east and west sides of the state. Or contact your local county noxious weed control board:

L. Scott Control

Richard Old, XID Services, Old, Bugwood.org Richard Inc., Puncturevine

Noxious Weeds in Washington a noxious weed “Noxious weed” means a plant that when in Washington established is highly destructive, competitive, For information on biological control of or difficult to control by cultural or chemical puncturevine, contact: practices. RCW 17.10.10 WSU Integrated Weed Control Project, WSU Extension 2606 W Pioneer; Puyallup WA 98371 Noxious weeds reduce crop yields, destroy 253-445-4657 native plant and animal habitat, damage http://invasives.wsu.edu recreational opportunities, clog waterways, lower land values, and poison or harm people and livestock.

Puncturevine is a Class B noxious weed in Washington State. Check with your local county noxious weed control board or go to Information adapted from Lincoln County Noxious our website to find out if control is required Weed Control Board Brochure “Puncturevine: where you live. Options for Control” L. Scott Identification Why invasive? Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) is an annual Puncturevine can quickly form large native to Southern Europe that spreads along infestations in the right conditions. Its foliage the ground forming mats of stems. is toxic to livestock, especially sheep when • Branching stems grow up to 6 feet long. consumed in quantity. It is a serious weed in • Leaves are opposite each other on stems pastures, roadsides, waste places and cultivated J. Andreas, WSU Extension and are divided into leaflets, each with hairs fields. The hard, spiny burrs damage wool and and about ¼ inch long. are undesirable in hay. The spines of the fruit • Small, yellow, 5-petaled flowers are borne can injure the feet of animals and people as well on short stalks at leaf nodes. as damage property such as puncturing bicycle L. Scott • Its circular, spiny burrs separate into 5 tires, making it a problem in recreational areas. sections when ripe. Puncturevine Control Chemical: Appropriate herbicide use can Puncturevine spreads by seed so controlling plants provide effective control of puncturevine. After the prior to seed production will prevent further plants have emerged from the soil, postemergent, seed entering the seedbank. When working in products are effective. The smaller or younger puncturevine infestations, make sure to clean the plant, the better the postemergent herbicides shoes, clothing and tires to prevent spreading work. When choosing a soil applied chemical seeds to other areas. After puncturevine control, for puncturevine control, consider whether a plant areas with site appropriate plants to selective or non-selective product is needed. provide competition and reduce further Always read the label instructions before applying puncturevine invasion. any herbicides for proper rate and timing. Use chemicals that are compatible with your goals. Mechanical: Check with your local county noxious weed board Puncturevine can be for specific herbicide recommendations. hand-pulled or controlled by hoeing, ideally prior to seed formation in the spring. If plants have already produced seeds, L. Scott make sure to remove all possible spiny burrs Growth & Spread from the ground. Make Puncturevine reproduces by seeds. Seeds sure to wear gloves when germinate in late spring and early summer. removing puncturevine PLANTS NRCS USDA Hurst, Steve Database, Bugwood.org Flowers may form within three weeks and and be careful of the sharp Biocontrol: Puncturevine seed weevil continue forming for several months. Sharp- spines. Shallow tilling (Microlarinus lareynii) and puncturevine stem spined burrs are produced through summer can also be used in the weevil (Microlarinus lypriformis) larvae and and fall and are dispersed by sticking into tires, spring to control the plant Extension WSU Andreas, J. adults both attack puncturevine. Contact the shoes, clothing, fur, feathers and animal feet. prior to flower and seed WSU Integrated Weed Control Project for further development. Mowing is ineffective due to the information or your local county noxious weed Seeds can remain dormant in the soil for many plant’s low growth form. board. years.