coastal sandbur
Family
PoaceaeScientific Name
Cenchrus spinifexOther Common Names:
field sandspur
grass bur
southern sandbur
spiny burrgrass
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Cenchrus pauciflorus
Cenchrus parviceps
Cenchrus incertus
Habit
Graminoid
Identifying Characteristics
Grass Family (Poaceae). Mat sandbur is a native, warm season annual and at times, short-lived perennial. The height ranges 8 to 24 inches. The leaf blade is 2 to 6 inches long and flat. The leaf sheath is flattened and hairy along margins. The stem is erect or grows along ground. The seedhead is a raceme with 6 to 20 spiny burs covered with fine hair, each enclosing 2 spikelets, and often topped by leaves.
Where Found
Southern and northeastern United States
Leaf Hair on Upper Surface
hairs on basal half only
Leaf Arrangement
folded in bud
Mature Leaf Width
Varies:
less than 5 mm,
6 to 15 mm
Stem
flat or oval
Seedhead
spiny burs
Life Cycle
perennial
Auricle
not present
Ligule
Varies:
membrane,
hairy
Ligule Length
Varies:
less than 1 mm,
1-2 mm
Plant Type
Grass