Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
1 rating

Thursday - September 21, 2006

From: Midland, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Vines
Title: Control methods for Tribulus terrestris, Goatheads or Puncturevine
Answered by: Joe Marcus and Nan Hampton

QUESTION:

We have some land that has so many goatheads we can't do anything with it. We would like to know what if anything will remove them from our place. There has to be something out there that will kill these goatheads out. REALLY BAD HERE. Thank you.

ANSWER:

Goathead (aka Puncturevine), Tribulus terrestris is a pernicious weedy introduction from Europe which now has nearly global distribution. It is a member of the Caltrop family, Zygophyllaceae. Both the common family name, Caltrop, and the genus name, Tribulus, refer to a particularly wicked iron weapon of ancient origin known as a caltrop used to incapacitate horses, other war animals and foot soldiers.

Puncturevine prefers and thrives in disturbed soils, especially over-grazed land. Improved land management is often the first and best step to take in controlling the weed. An annual plant, it does not compete well with other plants, especially turf grasses. If overgrazing or missing, groundcovering plants are not the issue on your land, there are other control strategies available.

If the amount of land affected is small, removal by hand is probably your best control method. It is best to remove the young plants by hand-pulling, hoeing or tilling before they go to seed. Since your plants are already producing seeds, you should pull, hoe or chop out the existing plants, rake or sweep up the spiney fruits, go over the soil with a piece of scrap carpet, rug or other nappy cloth and burn everything you pick up.

Other control methods include the use of introduced weevils and burning with propane torches. Both methods will likely yield much less than complete control, but may make sense if you're dealing with large acreage. Your county agricultural extension service agent may also be able to help as others in your area are dealing with the same pest.

Finally, we are including some links here for much more information about Goatheads:
Texas A&M's Toxic Plant Database
The UC Davis, IPM Online website
The Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board website
The California Department of Food and Agriculture Weed Information website
The North Dakota Department of Agriculture Invasive Species Manual
 

More Vines Questions

Invasive vine with yellow flowers in Austin
June 21, 2015 - What is the invasive vine in Austin that has wire like stems and small leaves. It just blossomed huge yellow flowers this spring. It climbs cliff, trees, bldgs., etc.
view the full question and answer

Non-native Purple Hyacinth from Sylvania OH
May 21, 2012 - I am wondering if I plant a Purple Hyacinth Bean vine seed under a tree and allow it to grow up the tree trunk, will it kill the tree?
view the full question and answer

Flowering shrubs and vines for San Angelo, Texas
May 28, 2015 - Hello What would be the best flowering shrubs and vines to plant here in dry San Angelo?
view the full question and answer

When will non-native Confederate Jasmine bloom in Austin
March 03, 2014 - I have 2 large Confederate Jasmine plants growing in 3 gallon pots on either side of an arbor I built for my friends wedding. The wedding is in 1 month and I'm wondering if this jasmine typically bl...
view the full question and answer

Plants under Oak Trees in Austin TX
December 10, 2012 - Half of my small yard is in the shade of one big live oak and one kumquat. Nothing I plant grows in this shade. The other half of my yard gets sunlight. It is planted with Jasmine grass which grows w...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.