Family:  Zygophyllaceae (Caltrop Family)

Native range:  Tropical America. Reported as native to Europe by some authors but the Mediterranean native, Tribulus terrestris, is also naturalized in Florida and is often mistaken for this more common tropical American species.

Description: A prostrate herb with diffusely branching stems and opposite, pinnately compound, 6-inch long leaves divided into 6 to 8 pairs of elliptic or oblong, leaflets ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Showy, bright yellow, 3/4- to 1 1/2-inch wide, 5-petalled flowers are produced year-round. Hard, 1/2-inch wide fruit produce a few stout spines.

Ecological threat:  Puncture vine invades dunes and coastal strand as well as sandy inland sites. It also colonizes road swales, median strips, and other disturbed sites.

Distribution in Florida:  Central and southern Florida, including the Florida Keys.

Background: Introduced as a salt- and drought-tolerant groundcover for coastal plantings. The spiny fruit, however, limit its use to areas where there is no foot traffic. The fruit spines are stout enough to puncture rubber sandals and bicycle tires, making it unpopular in beach parks and other coastal settings.