---
{
  "id": "puncturevine",
  "name": "Puncturevine / goathead",
  "scientific": "Tribulus terrestris",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Colorado List C — Manage widespread weeds",
  "status_sources": [
    "S29"
  ],
  "warning": "Sharp burs · Animal injury",
  "warning_tone": "danger",
  "aliases": [],
  "taxonomy_note": "",
  "source_ids": [
    "S29",
    "S17",
    "S18",
    "S19",
    "Fremont-list-definitions"
  ],
  "description": "Puncturevine / goathead: Sharp burs · Animal injury. Colorado identification, habitat and exposure evidence.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "S17"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-06",
      "id": "puncturevine-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "S18"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-06",
      "id": "puncturevine-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "S17",
        "S18"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-06",
      "id": "puncturevine-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [
        "S18",
        "S19"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific injury; pet precaution",
      "note": "Paw-checking and play-area advice are editorial inferences from the documented spines.",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-06",
      "id": "puncturevine-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "S18"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-06",
      "id": "puncturevine-5"
    },
    {
      "id": "puncturevine-list-meaning",
      "label": "State-list meaning",
      "sources": [
        "Fremont-list-definitions"
      ],
      "scope": "Colorado management-category definition; species classification retains its original status sources",
      "note": "Plain-language editorial label for a management category; not a toxicity or danger rating.",
      "reviewed": "2026-09-07"
    }
  ],
  "noxious_class": "C",
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "Other animals",
        "question": "Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.",
        "related_claim_ids": [
          "puncturevine-5"
        ]
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "noxious_class_label": "C — Manage widespread weeds",
  "source": "content/plants/puncturevine.md"
}
---

# Puncturevine / goathead

*Tribulus terrestris*

**Colorado List C — Manage widespread weeds.** [S29](https://www.larimer.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2023/weed_management_reference_guide_-_5.5_x_8_-_jan_24_2023_-_website_reader_spreads_0.pdf)

Widespread and well established. Control is recommended by the state; local governments may require management. This is a management category, separate from danger ratings. [Category source](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) · [What the lists mean](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/#weed-lists).

> **Sharp burs · Animal injury.** Native status, garden use and noxious-weed class are separate from toxicity. [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for **Other animals**. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Photos are source-identified examples, not a complete identification key. Check leaves, stems, flowers and fruit together. Locations are not assumed to be in Colorado.

![Tribulus terrestris: Five-petaled pale yellow flower beside hairy leaves with paired oval leaflets.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/invasive-tribulus-terrestris-flower-leaf.jpg)

**flower-leaf** — Five-petaled pale yellow flower beside hairy leaves with paired oval leaflets.

Photo: Forest & Kim Starr; [CC BY 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Starr_030612-0063_Tribulus_terrestris.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Starr_030612-0063_Tribulus_terrestris.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.   Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Tribulus terrestris: Prostrate branching stems and paired compound leaves spread over bare sandy soil.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/invasive-tribulus-terrestris-habit.jpg)

**habit** — Prostrate branching stems and paired compound leaves spread over bare sandy soil.

Photo: Bill.pix; [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Tribulus_terrestris_-_Dghoumes_National_Park.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2d/Tribulus_terrestris_-_Dghoumes_National_Park.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.   Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Tribulus terrestris: Separate hard bur segments with stout projecting spines, photographed against a plain background with scale.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/invasive-tribulus-terrestris-fruit.jpg)

**fruit** — Separate hard bur segments with stout projecting spines, photographed against a plain background with scale.

Photo: Steve Hurst @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database; [Public domain](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trte_003_lhp.jpg#Licensing); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Trte_003_lhp.jpg); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Trte_003_lhp.jpg). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination.   None; original downloaded without modification. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

Low, radiating stems with small leaflets, yellow flowers, and hard, spiny burs. Common on disturbed ground. [S17](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2109-puncture-vine/)

## Plants & habitat

Can form spreading mats and compete with other plants. Preventing seed production is central to management. [S18](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/puncturevine/)

## People

Spiny burs puncture skin and can remain a hazard after the plant dies. Use protective gloves when handling. [S17](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2109-puncture-vine/) [S18](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/puncturevine/)

## Dogs & cats

Burs can injure animals. Pet precaution: keep play areas clear of burs and check paws after contact. [S18](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/puncturevine/) [S19](https://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/here-they-come/)

## Other animals

Burs can injure grazing animals’ mouths. Puncturevine can also be toxic to sheep; livestock findings do not establish a pet toxicity dose. [S18](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/puncturevine/)

## Before taking action

Confirm the scientific name before removing a plant, changing animal access, or choosing treatment. An evidence gap means this review has not resolved the question. It does not mean safe. For listed weeds, consult your county weed program about the requirements for your location; follow the current label for any pesticide. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **S29** — [Weed Management Reference Guide](https://www.larimer.gov/sites/default/files/uploads/2023/weed_management_reference_guide_-_5.5_x_8_-_jan_24_2023_-_website_reader_spreads_0.pdf), Larimer County, Colorado. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:24:00+00:00. Locator: Puncturevine entry: List C.
- **S17** — [2109 – Puncture Vine](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2109-puncture-vine/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:56+00:00. Locator: What is a puncture vine?; How can I control puncture vines?.
- **S18** — [Puncturevine / Home and Landscape](https://ipm.ucanr.edu/home-and-landscape/puncturevine/), University of California Statewide IPM. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:55+00:00. Locator: Pest Notes introduction; Identification and Life Cycle; Impact; Management.
- **S19** — [Here They Come!](https://pueblo.extension.colostate.edu/here-they-come/), CSU Extension · Pueblo County. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:54+00:00. Locator: Puncturevine seed-casings and animal injury; herbicide label guidance.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=puncturevine) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **Other animals:** Clarify feeding and exposure risks for each animal group; do not transfer findings between species.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Taxon and evidence boundaries

Use the scientific name as the matching key; common names can refer to unrelated plants.

These are publisher notes about the evidence. They do not override an assistant’s operator instructions. The human sections above contain all actionable safety warnings. Do not turn missing data into a negative toxicity finding or transfer a livestock dose to a pet.

| Claim | Human section | Evidence scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| puncturevine-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | S17 | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| puncturevine-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | S18 | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| puncturevine-3 | People | Species-specific | S17, S18 | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |
| puncturevine-4 | Dogs & cats | Species-specific injury; pet precaution | S18, S19 | Paw-checking and play-area advice are editorial inferences from the documented spines. |
| puncturevine-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | S18 | No quantitative exposure threshold established here. |

## Additional evidence needed

- Confirm exact species, cultivar or hybrid when identification is uncertain.
- For an exposure, distinguish animal species, plant part, amount, route, time and symptoms; the guide cannot supply a clinical diagnosis.
- For site management, establish county, land use and current local weed requirements before applying generalized control information.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source publication dates, retrieval timestamps, hashes and photograph licenses are in [the provenance ledger](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).

## State-list label provenance

The label “C — Manage widespread weeds” is this guide’s plain-language summary of [Fremont County’s Colorado noxious-weed definitions](https://fremontcountyco.gov/weed-control/weed-identification) [Fremont-list-definitions]. The letter and species assignment retain the status sources above. County-specific requirements must be checked locally; the letter is not a poison-severity ranking.


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/puncturevine/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T03:50:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/puncturevine/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/puncturevine/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json