Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Puncture Vine
Tribulus terrestris
Caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae)

This bane of the bicycles existence and pain of the dog's paws should be banned by federal proclamation. Imported from Europe at least a century ago, it has now spread through the U.S. along roads, bike paths, and railroads. It is successful under hot and dry conditions and can out-compete other plants in such areas. A typical Puncturevine plant will produce 200 to 5,000 seeds during one growing season. The plant was described and named by Linnaeus in 1753 from plants collected in Europe.


©2004 Anthony Valois and the National Park Service

Description

plants, with creeping, slender stems that spread to five feet. in 3-8 pairs, hairy below, on mid-vein above. pointed, green and white, , hairy. Flowers from the leaf axils on stems, petals about 1/5" long, yellow. segments crested and drawn out to fine, stiff point.

Field Marks

Bright green creeping vine with bright yellow flowers and sharp, several-sided seed .

© Al Schneider

silky -- Covered with fine soft hairs, with a lustrous sheen. Satiny to the touch.

An annual plant is a plant that completes its life cycle, from germination to the production of seed, within one year, and then dies.

capsule -- a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. In most cases the capsule splits apart to release seeds.

Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

Deciduous plants are those that lose all of their leaves for part of the year.

fruit -- any seed-bearing structure in flowering plants. It is formed from the ovary after flowering.

prostrate -- Laying flat on the ground.

leaflets -- Each little leaf-like thing in a compound leaf is a leaflet.