Download Common name - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Puncture Vine
Tribulus cistoides (L.) Zygophyllaceae
Biology
• Native to tropical America
• Introduced as an ornamental
– Tolerant to salinity and drought
• Used for groundcover in coastal
areas
• Common name from spiny, hard fruits
• Medicinal properties – used in
treating ailments (headaches, etc.)
Distribution & Impacts
• Generally found in southeast Florida
– Generally as a direct escape from cultivation
• Found on dunes, coastal lands, sandy
sites
• Category II Invasive Species – FLEPPC
– Found in medians, yards and landscapes as
a weedy species
– Potential harm to humans and animals
Puncturevine Distribution in Florida
Identification
Mature Plant
• Creeping, prostrate
perennial
• Spreads through
lateral stem
formation
Leaves
• Leaves are arranged
oppositely
• 6 inches long
• Pinnately compound
with 6 to 8 pairs of
elliptic leaflets
• Lack terminal leaflet
Flowers and Fruit
• Flowers are solitary
• Bright yellow, 1.5
inches wide
• 5 petals
• Fruit are spiny, ½ inch
• Spread easily by
machinery, humans
• Dormant for years
Management
Preventative
Cultural
Mechanical
Biological
Chemical
Preventative
1. Limit planting as an ornamental
2. Remove existing plants before seeds
are produced
3. Avoid mowing, other mechanical
operations when plant is fruiting –
spread seed to other areas
Cultural
1. Alternative landscape plants to
replace puncturevine
2. Programs to educate homeowners
about the problems associated with
this plant and proper identification
3. Maintain good ground cover and
mixture of plant species to reduce
establishment
Biological
1. There are 2 known biological control
agents available for puncturevine, but
limited distribution
Mechanical
1. Hand pull plants out of moist soil, wear
gloves
2. Mowing or cutting is ineffective, as the
plant is prostrate in growth habit, may
actually spread the plant through seed
spread
Chemical
1. Over-the-top applications of
glyphosate, dicamba or 2,4-D at 1 to
2% solution plus 0.25% surfactant
2. Glyphosate is non-selective and will
damage other plants
3. Dicamba and 2,4-D can be used in
many turf settings – check label
Useful Links
• Floridata Homepage:
http://www.floridata.com/main_fr.cfm?state
=Welcome&viewsrc=welcome.htm
• University of Florida Center for Aquatic
and Invasive Plants:
http://aquat1.ifas.ufl.edu/welcome.html
• The Plant Conservation Alliance's Alien
Plant Working Group. Weeds Gone Wild:
Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas:
http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/index.htm
Useful Links
• Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER).
Plant Threats to Pacific Ecosystems:
http://www.hear.org/pier/threats.htm
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation
Service. Plants Database:
http://plants.usda.gov
• Forest Management of Miami-Dade
County:
http://www.miamidade.gov/derm/Plants/pla
nts_puncture_vine.asp
• Bureau of Land Management, Oregon
/Washington: http://www.or.blm.gov
Literature Cited
Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks.
1998. Identification and Biology of NonNative Plants in Florida's Natural Areas.
IFAS Publication SP 257. University of
Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp