Puncture Vine (Tribulus terrestris) is in the caltrops family (Zygophyllaceae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 1,074 research-grade flowering observations of it in our sample, peaking in September.
Nationally it blooms mainly from June to October, but timing varies a lot by state and elevation — see the table below.
When to photograph Puncture Vine: observations by month (U.S.)
About Puncture Vine
Tribulus terrestris is an annual plant in the caltrop family (Zygophyllaceae) widely distributed around the world, that is adapted to grow in dry climate locations in which few other plants can survive.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
Puncture Vine by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 446 | September | Jun–Nov |
| Colorado | 161 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Texas | 123 | September | Aug–Oct |
| Arizona | 80 | August | Aug–Oct |
| Nevada | 61 | September | Sep–Sep |
| New Mexico | 49 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Utah | 33 | September | Aug–Sep |
| Oregon | 30 | August | Jul–Sep |
| Idaho | 23 | August | Jul–Oct |
| Washington | 18 | August | Aug–Sep |
| Kansas | 12 | June | Jun–Oct |
| Mississippi | 8 | July | Jul–Sep |
| Nebraska | 6 | September | Jun–Sep |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Related wildflowers (caltrops)
Photography tips
- Photograph flowers on calm, overcast mornings to avoid wind blur and harsh shadows.
- Get low: a shallow depth of field (f/2.8–f/5.6) isolates a bloom against soft color.
- Stay on trails — trampling meadows kills plants and ruins next year's display.
- Try a kaleidoscope abstract of a single bloom with our online kaleidoscope tool.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph Puncture Vine?
Nationally, September has the most observations, with the main season from June to October.
Where is Puncture Vine most often seen?
The most observations come from California, Colorado, Texas.