puncturevine USDA PLANTS Symbol: TRTE
U.S. Nativity: Exotic
Habit: Vines
Tribulus terrestris L.
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Sapindales: Zygophyllaceae
Synonym(s): bullhead, caltrop, goathead, Mexican sandbur, puncture vine, Texas sandbur
Native Range: Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe ()
Appearance
Tribulus terrestris is an annual, low-spreading forb native to the Mediterranean.
Foliage
Leaves are opposite, hairy, 1-3 in. (2.5-7.6 cm) long, and divided into 8-18 oblong leaflets.
Flowers
Flowering occurs from midsummer to frost, when 5-petaled, yellow, 0.5 in. (1.27 cm) wide flowers develop singly in the axils of the leaves.
Fruit
Fruit are circular, spiny burs that split into 5 sections. Burs can cause injury to bicycle tires, bare feet, and even small truck tires.
Ecological Threat
Plants invade roadsides, pastures, fields and other disturbed areas. Plants are toxic to sheep and other grazers.
Selected Images from Invasive.orgView All Images at Invasive.org


Plant(s); in flower
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Foliage;
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s);
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s); flower and fruit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s); flower and leaves
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s);
Steve Dewey, Utah State University, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s); fruit
Forest and Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org
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Research;
USDA Agricultural Research Service , USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s);
Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s); Thorns
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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Plant(s); Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913. Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 442.
USDA NRCS PLANTS Database , USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org
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Feature(s); Burs stuck into tractor tire
Utah State University , , Bugwood.org
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EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org 		 


State List
This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law.
U.S. National Parks where reported invasive:
Chiricahua National Monument (Arizona)
Death Valley National Park (California)
Fort Bowie National Historic Site (Arizona)
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
Lake Mead National Park (Nevada)
Scotts Bluff National Monument (Nebraska)


Invasive Listing Sources:
California Invasive Plant Council
Jil M. Swearingen, Survey of invasive plants occurring on National Park Service lands, 2000-2007
Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
Pacific Northwest Exotic Pest Plant Council, 1998
Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States