The weed is likely puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris), also called goathead or caltrop. Its low-growing foliage can hide hard, spiny burrs that injure pets’ feet and puncture bicycle tires. Remove plants before they make seeds, collect burrs already on the ground, and keep checking the area for several years. A local extension office or weed authority can help confirm the identification if the plant does not match the description below.
How to identify puncturevine (goathead)
Puncturevine is a summer annual that spreads in a mat close to the ground, with stems radiating from a taproot. Its opposite, hairy leaves are divided into four to eight pairs of leaflets, and its small yellow flowers have five petals. As the fruit matures, it forms a cluster of five hard, spiny burrs that break apart and can attach to shoes, clothing, animals and tires. UC IPM’s puncturevine identification guide and the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board describe these features.
The burrs—not the harmless-looking low foliage—are the main practical hazard. UC Cooperative Extension describes painful injuries to dogs’ paws and punctures to bicycle tires in its July 13, 2026 article. These sources establish that burrs can injure pets, but they do not establish what caused any individual dog’s veterinary visit or diagnose that dog’s injury.
Why one cleanup may not be enough
Puncturevine spreads by seed, and burrs can be carried to new spots on animal feet, shoes, clothing and tires. UC IPM says a typical plant may produce 200 to 5,000 seeds in a season, depending on conditions; the publication year is not stated on its page. UC Cooperative Extension gives a separate estimate of 200 to 500 seeds per plant in its July 2026 article. These are different published estimates, not a single guaranteed yield.
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Seeds may remain viable in soil for up to five years, according to UC IPM. Washington’s weed board advises monitoring and control for at least four years. New plants can emerge after rain or irrigation, so removing the visible plants once does not reliably eliminate the seedbank.
How to remove goathead plants and burrs
- Pull or hoe young plants before they flower or set seed. Wear sturdy gloves to protect your hands from spines. Remove the plant by cutting it at the taproot. UC IPM and Washington’s weed board recommend early removal.
- Collect burrs already on the ground. Sweep or rake them up, checking beneath the plant mat where they may be hidden. Remove the collected burrs from the area so they cannot be carried elsewhere.
- Repeat inspections throughout the growing season and over subsequent years. Check again after rain or irrigation, when new seedlings may appear. Continue monitoring for multiple seasons; Washington’s weed board specifies at least four years.
- Clean equipment and clothing after working in an infested patch. Remove burrs from shoes, clothing, mower wheels and carts to reduce seed transport. Where suitable, establish vegetation that can compete with puncturevine.
Which control methods are useful—and which are not
- Mowing: Usually ineffective because puncturevine grows too close to the ground for a mower to control it reliably.
- Tilling: Shallow tilling may work on small plants before they flower. Avoid deep tilling: buried seeds may remain viable.
- Herbicides: UC IPM says chemical control is generally unnecessary in home landscapes, though it may be considered for large or difficult infestations; younger plants are more susceptible. Product choice depends on the site, nearby desirable plants and local rules. Follow the product label and ask a local weed authority or extension service for site-specific guidance rather than applying a generic recipe.
- Biological control: Introduced weevils may help in some regions, but results are not universal. UC IPM discusses their use and refers California readers to county agricultural commissioners; Washington’s weed board says they do not provide effective control in Washington. Check local advice before considering them.
When to contact your veterinarian
If you suspect a burr has injured your dog’s paw, contact your veterinarian for advice, particularly if your dog is limping or appears painful. The cited weed-control sources describe the hazard but do not provide veterinary diagnosis or treatment instructions; do not assume a particular injury or cause without an examination.
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