Goat Head Weed Control: Preventing Puncturevine

If you live in an area where goat heads (aka puncturevine) are a problem, you know how difficult they can be to control. These pesky weeds have sharp spines that can puncture tires, injure feet, and ruin lawnmowers. They’re nearly impossible to pull out of the ground since the roots go so deep.

So what’s the best way to prevent and control goat head weed growth? Read on to find out everything you need to know about preventing puncturevine.

What is Puncturevine?

Puncturevine (Tribulus Terrestris) is an annual herb that belongs to the Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae). The plant is also known as “goathead,” “buffalo head,” and “California burr.” It is native to warm temperate and tropical regions of the world, but it can now be found on every continent except Antarctica. In North America, It is most common in the southwestern United States, California, and Mexico.

The plant grows well in disturbed habitats such as roadsides, fields, and waste areas. It is often considered a weed because it can spread quickly and crowd out other plants. It typically blooms from May to October.

The plant gets its name from the sharp spines on its fruit, and these spines can puncture tires and injure animals that step on them. The plant also hosts insect pests, including the puncturevine weevil (Trirhabda virgata) and the Mexican bean beetle (Epilachna varivestis).

Puncturevine is also known as:

• Goat Head
• Bullhead
• Caltrop
• Cat’s Head
• Devil’s Thorn
• Devil’s Weed
• Dindigul Thorns
• Puncture Vine
• Texas Caltrops

What Does Puncturevine Look Like?

Puncturevine is an annual weed that grows in many parts of the United States. It has small yellow flowers and produces fruits that contain sharp spines. These spines can puncture tires, injure feet, and ruin lawnmowers. Here are some pictures of puncturevine so you can identify it in your yard:

Puncturevine can be a problem for some reasons, such as : 

First, it’s a very prickly plant, making it difficult and unpleasant to walk through infested areas. The plant also produces many seeds, which can be transported by animals or water to other areas, where they can germinate and grow into new plants. Also, puncturevine can compete with native plants for resources, reducing the habitat quality for wildlife. Finally, the plant can host insect pests, spreading to other plants.

When Does Puncturevine Grow?

Puncture vine blooms from May to September. Each flower is about 1/2 inch wide and has five yellow petals. The flowers are followed by small, green fruits that turn brown when they mature. Each fruit contains two seeds that are covered with sharp spines. The spines easily penetrate tires, shoes, and clothing. They can also cause pain and irritation if they come into contact with the skin.

If you have puncturevine on your property, it’s important to contact your local Cooperative Extension office or the Department of Agriculture for assistance. It is difficult to control once it becomes established, and it may require herbicides. However, different management options are available, and a management plan can be tailored to your specific needs.

How Does Puncturevine Spread?

Puncturevine typically spreads via its seeds, which are contained in the plant’s fruit. The fruits burst open when they mature and release the seeds, which can then be transported by animals or water to other areas, where they can germinate and grow into new plants. Puncturevine also spreads via fragmentation, meaning that small pieces of the plant that break off can establish themselves as new plants elsewhere. 

Finally, humans can inadvertently spread puncturevine by moving infested soil or other objects that contain plant material (such as tires) to new locations.

Puncturevine is most commonly found in disturbed areas, such as roadsides, parking lots, and construction sites. It can also be found in agricultural fields, pastures, and other open habitats. It typically doesn’t invade healthy, undisturbed habitats because it doesn’t compete well with other plants in these areas. However, it can become a problem in these areas if it’s introduced via human activity or if the natural vegetation is disturbed or removed (for example, by fire).

What Are the Effects of Puncturevine?

Puncturevine has been shown to negatively affect several crops, including alfalfa, soybeans, and rice. The plant can also reduce the efficiency of irrigation systems by clogging pipes and Sprinklers. It is a host of the Puncturevine stem weevil (Oncylocerus tristis), a serious pest of alfalfa in North America.

The seeds of Puncturevine are sharp and can puncture tires, which is how the plant got its common name. The plant can also cause injury to humans and animals if they step on the seeds or brush up against the plant.

It is classified as a noxious weed in many jurisdictions, including Alberta, Canada; Idaho, USA; and Washington, USA. It is illegal to possess or transport the plant in some areas. Eradication programs have been attempted, but they are difficult to implement due to the plant’s wide range and ability to spread quickly.

How Can I Prevent Puncturevine?

To prevent puncturevine from becoming a problem on your farm or ranch, it is important to take proactive measures to control the weed. Here are some tips for preventing and controlling puncturevine in agricultural settings:

1. Keep your property free of weeds. Maintaining a clean property is the best way to prevent it and other weeds from becoming established. Be sure to regularly remove any weeds that do appear.
2. Use herbicides. Applying a pre-emergent herbicide to your property can help prevent puncturevine seeds from germinating. Be sure to follow the directions on the herbicide label and apply it before the weed begins to seed.
3. Cultivate carefully. Cultivating too deeply or too frequently can help spread puncturevine seeds by bringing them up to the surface where they can germinate. If you need to cultivate, do so carefully and only when necessary.
4. Control livestock grazing. Overgrazing can create conditions that are favorable for puncturevine to establish and spread. Be sure to rotate grazing areas and give pastures time to recover between grazing periods.
5. Monitor your property. Inspect your property regularly for puncturevine and other weeds. Take action immediately if you see any weeds beginning to establish themselves.

Taking these proactive measures can help prevent puncturevine from becoming a problem on your farm or ranch.

What is the Best Way to Control Puncturevine?

Puncturevine is considered a noxious weed in many jurisdictions due to its ability to invade disturbed areas, its impacts on agricultural production, and its potential to cause injury to humans and animals. The spines on the fruits can puncture bicycle tires, and the seeds can clog machinery such as combines. Infestations of puncturevine can reduce crop yields by up to 50%.

The best way to control puncturevine is to prevent it from establishing itself in new areas. This can be done by cleaning equipment used in infested areas before moving it to new areas. Once established, It is difficult to control due to its large seed bank and ability to spread rapidly via vegetative reproduction. Mechanical control methods such as mowing or tillage can be effective if done frequently to prevent seed production. However, these methods are often not practical in large infestations.

Chemical control of puncturevine is most effective when applied to small, newly established infestations. Larger, more established infestations can be controlled with herbicides, but it will take multiple applications over several years to achieve good control. It is resistant to many herbicides, so it is important to select an herbicide that is known to be effective against this species. 

Glyphosate is the most effective herbicide for controlling puncturevine, and it can be applied as a foliar spray or as a directed (spot) application to the base of plants. Repeated applications may be necessary to achieve good control.

Conclusion

Puncturevine is a noxious weed that can cause serious problems in agricultural production and natural areas. It is important to take steps to prevent puncturevine from becoming established in new areas, and once it is present, it cannot be easy to control. Glyphosate is the most effective herbicide for controlling puncturevine, but multiple applications may be necessary to achieve good control.