Tribulus terrestris L.

Puncture Vine; Devil's Thorn; Puncture Weed

Herb

Annual

Vascular

Puncture Vine is an introduced annual herb in the Creosote-Bush family (Zygophyllaceae). It is native to the Mediterranean region, but has spread to dry temperate areas worldwide. In Alabama it has been found in widely scattered locations across the state. Puncture Vine occurs in fields and pastures, on roadsides, along railroads, and in cracks of sidewalks and parking lots. It is an annual with a taproot. The stems are prostrate, green or reddish in color, and pubescent. Leaves are opposite or alternate (one of each pair abortive), petiolate, and even-pinnately compound with 6-12 leaflets. When opposite one of each pair is usually smaller. The leaflets are ovate to elliptic in outline, entire, and pubescent. Flowers are solitary from the axils of the leaves. Each flower has 5 green ovate-lanceolate sepals, 10 nectary glands in two whorls, and 5 yellow petals. The fruit is 5-angled schizocarp that splits into 5 triangular mericarps each with 2 spines. Puncture Vine is listed as a noxious weed in many countries and states. It is spread by the spiny fruit sticking in tires and shoes and to the feet of livestock. Attempts to control it have largely been unsuccessful. – A. Diamond.

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Not Native

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