Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Puncturevine, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

Prostrate; multiple stems that spread radially from crown; up to 3 ft. long (sometimes longer); highly branched, green to reddish-brown and often hairy

Leaves

Opposite, usually hairy, pinnate-compound, 1-2 in. long, with 3-7 pairs of leaflets; leaflets oval and 0.2-0.6 in. long; edges (margins) are smooth

Flower

Yellow, 0.2-0.6 in. diameter, with 5 petals; arise from leaf axils
Fruit is a woody bur that breaks into 5 sections (nutlets) at maturity; each nutlet has 2 stout, spines and contains 3-5 seeds

Root

Slender, deep taproot; can associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Other

Often found in still or slow-moving water; not known to occur in Nevada
Annual; reproduces by seed
Also known as goathead, Mexican sandbur, Texas sandbur and tackweed; spines on fruit can cause injury to livestock and humans and can also puncture tires; foliage can be toxic to livestock

Control

Frequent hand-removal or tillage prior to seed production
Two insect biological control agents are available
Apply 2,4-D, dicamba, glyphosate, imazapic or picloram to young, actively growing plants; chlorsulfuron or imazapyr preemergence or early post emergence

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Yellow toadflax Yellow toadflax is a noxious weed that has been identified by the state of Nevada to be harmful to agriculture, the general public, or the environment. Learn more about this weed. Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Puncturevine