Learn how to Identify, Prevent and Manage the Spread of Puncturevine

Learn how to Identify, Prevent and Manage the Spread of Puncturevine

Landowners are encouraged to learn to identify puncturevine, and then understand how to control it.

Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris) is a noxious weed found in the Okanagan-Similkameen region.  It is an annual plant whose sharp spines can easily penetrate leather, skin, and can even puncture rubber tires. The puncturevine plant branches from its base and spreads along the ground to form dense mats.  Its leaves are hairy and grow in pairs on opposite sides of the stem.  The leaf is divided into 4 to 8 pairs of oval leaflets.  The yellow flowers originate in the leaf axils.  The fruit contains 5 sections that form tough, sharp and sometimes curving spines. Flowering and seed production typically occurs from mid-June to October. 

It is important for landowners to be able to recognize puncturevine at an early stage of growth, as this is when it can most easily be controlled, as opposed to when it is large and seedpods have matured. Landowners can help by not providing an opportunity for weeds to grow, as well as by patrolling their properties in the summer and controlling any puncturevine they discover.

​Puncturevine should be carefully pulled and double bagged, then taken to the local landfill. Tipping fees are waived for invasive plant disposal at the Osoyoos & District Sanitary Landfill. Simply inform the scale clerk upon entering the landfill.

If you have found puncturevine on your property or boulevard, please click this link Puncturevine and Longspine Sandbur (Courtesy of OASISS) for information on managing it.

Click here for more information regarding the Town of Osoyoos property maintenance requirements - Good Neighbour Bylaw 1277

Additional resources: 
www.oasiss.ca
www.rdos.bc.ca