Puncture Vine - University of Florida · 2015. 8. 21. · Puncture Vine Tribulus cistoides (L.)...

Puncture VinePuncture VineTribulusTribulus cistoidescistoides (L.) (L.) ZygophyllaceaeZygophyllaceae

Biology Biology •• Native to tropical AmericaNative to tropical America•• Introduced as an ornamentalIntroduced as an ornamental

–– Tolerant to salinity and droughtTolerant to salinity and drought•• Used for groundcover in coastal Used for groundcover in coastal

areasareas•• Common name from spiny, hard fruitsCommon name from spiny, hard fruits•• Medicinal properties Medicinal properties –– used in used in

treating ailments (headaches, etc.)treating ailments (headaches, etc.)

Distribution & ImpactsDistribution & Impacts•• Generally found in southeast Florida Generally found in southeast Florida

–– Generally as a direct escape from cultivationGenerally as a direct escape from cultivation•• Found on dunes, coastal lands, sandy Found on dunes, coastal lands, sandy

sitessites•• Category II Invasive Species Category II Invasive Species –– FLEPPCFLEPPC

–– Found in medians, yards and landscapes as Found in medians, yards and landscapes as a weedy speciesa weedy species

–– Potential harm to humans and animalsPotential harm to humans and animals

PuncturevinePuncturevine Distribution in FloridaDistribution in Florida

IdentificationIdentification

Mature PlantMature Plant•• Creeping, prostrate Creeping, prostrate

perennial perennial •• Spreads through Spreads through

lateral stem lateral stem formationformation

LeavesLeaves•• Leaves are arranged Leaves are arranged

oppositelyoppositely•• 6 inches long6 inches long•• PinnatelyPinnately compound compound

with 6 to 8 pairs of with 6 to 8 pairs of elliptic leafletselliptic leaflets

•• Lack terminal leafletLack terminal leaflet

Flowers and FruitFlowers and Fruit•• Flowers are solitaryFlowers are solitary•• Bright yellow, 1.5 Bright yellow, 1.5

inches wideinches wide•• 5 petals5 petals•• Fruit are spiny, Fruit are spiny, ½½ inchinch•• Spread easily by Spread easily by

machinery, humansmachinery, humans•• Dormant for yearsDormant for years

ManagementManagementPreventativePreventative

CulturalCulturalMechanicalMechanicalBiologicalBiologicalChemicalChemical

PreventativePreventative1.1. Limit planting as an ornamentalLimit planting as an ornamental2.2. Remove existing plants before seeds Remove existing plants before seeds

are producedare produced3.3. Avoid mowing, other mechanical Avoid mowing, other mechanical

operations when plant is fruiting operations when plant is fruiting ––spread seed to other areasspread seed to other areas

CulturalCultural1.1. Alternative landscape plants to Alternative landscape plants to

replace replace puncturevinepuncturevine2.2. Programs to educate homeowners Programs to educate homeowners

about the problems associated with about the problems associated with this plant and proper identificationthis plant and proper identification

3.3. Maintain good ground cover and Maintain good ground cover and mixture of plant species to reduce mixture of plant species to reduce establishmentestablishment

BiologicalBiological1.1. There are 2 known biological control There are 2 known biological control

agents available for agents available for puncturevinepuncturevine, but , but limited distributionlimited distribution

MechanicalMechanical1.1. Hand pull plants out of moist soil, wear Hand pull plants out of moist soil, wear

glovesgloves2.2. Mowing or cutting is ineffective, as the Mowing or cutting is ineffective, as the

plant is prostrate in growth habit, may plant is prostrate in growth habit, may actually spread the plant through seed actually spread the plant through seed spreadspread

ChemicalChemical1.1. OverOver--thethe--top applications of top applications of

glyphosate, dicamba or 2,4glyphosate, dicamba or 2,4--D at 1 to D at 1 to 2% solution plus 0.25% surfactant 2% solution plus 0.25% surfactant

2.2. Glyphosate is nonGlyphosate is non--selective and will selective and will damage other plantsdamage other plants

3.3. Dicamba and 2,4Dicamba and 2,4--D can be used in D can be used in many turf settings many turf settings –– check labelcheck label

Useful LinksUseful 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 LinksUseful 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

Literature CitedLiterature CitedLangeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. Langeland, K.A. and K. Craddock Burks. 1998. Identification and Biology of Non1998. Identification and Biology of Non--Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas. IFAS Publication SP 257. University of IFAS Publication SP 257. University of Florida, Gainesville. 165 ppFlorida, Gainesville. 165 pp