Puncturevine plant

Puncturevine – Tribulus terrestris

Tribulus terrestris

L.Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop family)

MI Status

Non-native

Life cycle

Prostrate, mat-forming summer annual.

Leaves

Opposite, even pinnately compound, with many small, oblong leaflets.

Stems

Prostrate, covered with stiff hairs and branching in all directions, forming circular mats.

Flowers and fruit

Flowers are small with five yellow petals. Podlike fruit are woody with five triangular burs and sharp spines. Spines are stout enough to puncture tires.

Reproduction

Seeds.

Puncturevine seedling
Puncturevine seedling
Puncturevine leaf
Puncturevine leaf
Puncturevine flower
Puncturevine flower
Puncturevine fruit
Puncturevine fruit

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Tag List
  • annual,
  • msu plant & pest diagnostics,
  • summer annual

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