Puncture Vine, Goat’s Head, Caltrop,Tribulus terrestris,Caltrop Family (Zygophyllaceae)

Found in sandy areas, roadsides
Seen blooming in August by the road to Abiquiu Lake
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Puncture Vine is a low, creeping plant with many hairy branches that spread quickly forming a mat over three feet across. Leaves are divided into pairs of leaflets with silky hairs. Tiny yellow flowers, ½ inch across, produce a fruit that is hard and spiny and breaks into burs which look like a goat’s head. These sharp, strong spines can injure bare feet and the mouths of grazing animals and easily penetrate thin shoes and bicycle tires. It is considered noxious in Colorado and other states. It should not be put on the compost pile because seeds remain viable for 10 years. It is used as medicine by cultures around the world, including modern use as a dietary supplement to enhance athletic ability and for conditions such as chest pain, eczema, enlarged prostate, sexual disorders and infertility. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Source.
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