Caltrop

Tribulus terrestris
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caltrop_2_-_Caltrop_DWLBC.jpg
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Weed profile

  • Annual
  • Herb
  • Contaminates produce
  • Toxic to livestock
  • Habitat: gardens, pastures

Impact

Spiny burrs. Toxic to livestock.

Description

  • Prostrate summer annual.
  • Creeping stems spread from a central root.
  • Blue-green leaves divided into oblong leaflets in 2 rows.
  • Flowers have 5 yellow petals.
  • Burrs with sharp spines.

Control options

  • chemical control

    glyphosate (450g/L)

    When: Spot spray, September - April. before seed set.

    Where: Conservation areas, bushland and other non-crop areas.

  • chemical control

    glyphosate (450g/L)

    When: Boom spray, at beginning of fallow period.

    Where: Fallows.

  • chemical control

    glyphosate (360g/L)

    When: Boom spray, September - March. before flowering.

    Where: Urban areas and other non-crop situations.

  • chemical control

    glyphosate (360g/L)

    When: Spot spray, September - March. before flowering.

    Where: Urban areas and other non-crop situations.

  • chemical control

    flumetsulam (800g/kg)

    When: Spot spray, September - March. before flowering.

    Where: Agricultural non-crop areas.

  • chemical control

    nonanoic acid (525 g/L)

    When: Spot spray, September - March. young plants.

    Where: Urban areas. Suitable for use in organic gardens.

  • physical control

    Manual removal

    When: When noticed.

    Where: Urban and amenity areas

  • physical control

    Competing vegetation

    When: Long term

    Where: Pastures and amenity areas.

glyphosate (450g/L)

Application Method: Spot spray

Application Rate: 1L/100L

Product Name: Roundup CT®

Herbicide Group: 9

Situation: Conservation areas, bushland and other non-crop areas.

Timing: Spot spray, September - April. before seed set.

Comments: Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: PER 13371 (exp. 2027)

glyphosate (450g/L)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 1.6-2.4L/ha

Product Name: Roundup CT®

Herbicide Group: 9

Situation: Fallows.

Timing: Boom spray, at beginning of fallow period.

Comments: Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: Registered for this use, but this weed is not on the label.

glyphosate (360g/L)

Application Method: Boom spray

Application Rate: 2-3L/ha

Product Name: Roundup Biactive®

Herbicide Group: 9

Situation: Urban areas and other non-crop situations.

Timing: Boom spray, September - March. before flowering.

Comments: Treat within 3 weeks of seed germination. Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: Registered

glyphosate (360g/L)

Application Method: Spot spray

Application Rate: 500-700mL/100L

Product Name: Roundup Biactive®

Herbicide Group: 9

Situation: Urban areas and other non-crop situations.

Timing: Spot spray, September - March. before flowering.

Comments:

Treat within 3 weeks of seed germination. Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: Registered

flumetsulam (800g/kg)

Application Method: Spot spray

Application Rate: 25g/100L

Product Name: Broadstrike®

Herbicide Group: 2

Situation: Agricultural non-crop areas.

Timing: Spot spray, September - March. before flowering.

Comments:

Add 500 mL/100L Uptake® spray oil. Lasts 2-3 months, less if conditions are wet or soil is disturbed.

Legal Status: Registered

nonanoic acid (525 g/L)

Application Method: Spot spray

Application Rate: 700mL/10L

Product Name: Slasher Organic Weedkiller®

Herbicide Group: _

Situation: Urban areas. Suitable for use in organic gardens.

Timing: Spot spray, September - March. young plants.

Comments:

Spray to completely cover weed surface. Non persistent, retreatment may be needed for later germinations. Non selective, avoid contact with desirable plants.

Legal Status: Registered for this use on annual weeds in general.

Manual removal

Situation: Urban and amenity areas

Timing: When noticed.

Comments:

Cut plants off at root and dispose. Scrape off surface soil containing seeds and bury it at least 50 cm deep.

Competing vegetation

Situation: Pastures and amenity areas.

Timing: Long term

Comments:

Caltrop is favoured by bare ground, and does not compete effectively with other plants. Management to maintain a dense ground cover significantly reduces germination. Grass cover crops allow overspraying with selective broadleaf herbicides.

Legal requirements in each region

To find out which landscape region you're in visit the NatureMaps website.
Alinytjara Wiluṟara
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Alinytjara Wiluṟara Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Eyre Peninsula
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Eyre Peninsula Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Green Adelaide
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Green Adelaide Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Hills and Fleurieu
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Hills and Fleurieu Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Kangaroo Island
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Kangaroo Island Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Limestone Coast
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Limestone Coast Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Murraylands and Riverland
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

Northern and Yorke
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the Northern and Yorke Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

South Australian Arid Lands
Control

Land owners in this region to take reasonable steps to kill plants and prevent their spread. Enforceable by the South Australian Arid Lands Landscape Board.

Sale

Must not be sold or traded in any way, including as a contaminant of anything.

Movement

Must not be transported on a public road, including as a contaminant of anything.

More Information

Find out how to:

Control advice

For further help and advice managing this weed contact your regional landscape board:

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