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Puncture Vine

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

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Puncture Vine

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  1. Puncture Vine Tribulus cistoides (L.) Zygophyllaceae

  2. 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.)

  3. 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

  4. Puncturevine Distribution in Florida

  5. Identification

  6. Mature Plant • Creeping, prostrate perennial • Spreads through lateral stem formation

  7. Leaves • Leaves are arranged oppositely • 6 inches long • Pinnately compound with 6 to 8 pairs of elliptic leaflets • Lack terminal leaflet

  8. 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

  9. Management Preventative Cultural Mechanical Biological Chemical

  10. Preventative • Limit planting as an ornamental • Remove existing plants before seeds are produced • Avoid mowing, other mechanical operations when plant is fruiting – spread seed to other areas

  11. Cultural • Alternative landscape plants to replace puncturevine • Programs to educate homeowners about the problems associated with this plant and proper identification • Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce establishment

  12. Biological • There are 2 known biological control agents available for puncturevine, but limited distribution

  13. Mechanical • Hand pull plants out of moist soil, wear gloves • Mowing or cutting is ineffective, as the plant is prostrate in growth habit, may actually spread the plant through seed spread

  14. Chemical • Over-the-top applications of glyphosate, dicamba or 2,4-D at 1 to 2% solution plus 0.25% surfactant • Glyphosate is non-selective and will damage other plants • Dicamba and 2,4-D can be used in many turf settings – check label

  15. 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

  16. 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/plants_puncture_vine.asp • Bureau of Land Management, Oregon /Washington: http://www.or.blm.gov

  17. Literature Cited Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 pp

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