Puncturevine
September 4, 2015
Tribulus terrestris L.
Life cycle
Prostrate, mat-forming summer annual.
Puncturevine seedling.
Leaves
Opposite, even pinnately compound, with many small, oblong leaflets.
Punturevine leaf.
Stems
Prostrate, covered with stiff hairs and branching in all directions, forming circular mats.
Flowers and fruit
Flowers are small with five yellow petals. Pod-like fruit are woody with five triangular burs and sharp spines. Spines are stout enough to puncture tires.
Puncturevine flower (left) and fruit (right).
Reproduction
Seeds.
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