Page 114 - AG 7-2011 Revised 2016

Photo Courtesy of PBI/Gordon Corp. Purslane
(Potulaca oleracea)
Photo Courtesy of PBI/Gordon Corp.
Purslane is a summer annual with prostrate growth from a tap
root and fibrous surface roots. The leaves are thick and waxy,
resembling a Jade plant. The leaves usually alternate, with a
cluster at the tip of the stem. Stems are thick, red in color, and
branch out from a central point, forming a mat up to 1 foot in
diameter.

The flower is solitary, yellow in color and has 5 petals. The
flower is found in the leaf axis or at the tip of the stem.
Purslane flowers from May to November and spreads by seeds,
which germinate in the spring, or by stem fragments.

Purslane is found through out the United States, but less in the
Pacific Northwest.
Immature Stage

Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations
Cultural Practices:
Dense, vigorous cool-season turf areas will resist infestation. Physical removal of single plants can be easily
accomplished, although it is important to eliminate all stem fragments. Follow good turf management practices
including disease and insect control and proper fertilization. Purslane can become a problem in newly seeded areas.
It is best to avoid attempting to establish new stands of cool-season turfgrass in the spring. Fall seedling establishment
will not be threatened by purslane aggression.

Herbicide Use:
The best time to control purslane with a postemergent broadleaf herbicide is when the plant is in the seedling stage,
actively growing and between the four true-leaf and flower growth stage. Later in the plants life cycle it will be
necessary to mow prior to herbicide application and assure that good contact is made with the prostrate plant.

Puncture Vine
(Tribulus terrestris)

Puncture vine is a summer annual. The leaves are opposite and
even-pinnately compound composed of 8 - 16 hairy leaflets. The
stems are prostrate mat forming originating from a taproot.

The flowers are solitary, consisting of 5 yellow petals, and are
found in the leaf axils. The fruit which contains 1 - 4 seeds
contains 2 - 4 spines. Puncture vine spreads by seed which can
remain viable for years.

Puncture vine is found throughout the United States and Canada.

Immature Stage

Integrated Pest Management Control Recommendations
Cultural Practices:
Puncture vine plants should be cut off or hoed below the crown prior to going to seed. Seed fruits should be disposed
of carefully.

Herbicide Use:
Make your postemergent herbicide application to puncture vine that is actively growing and in the seedling to flower
stage of growth.

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