Scientific Name:
Cenchrus spinifex
Common Name:
coastal sandbur
Other Common Names:
grass bur, coastal sandbur, field sandspur, southern sandbur, spiny burrgrass
Synonyms:
Cenchrus pauciflorus; Cenchrus incertus; Cenchrus parviceps
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
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Life cycle:
perennial
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Plant type:
Grass
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Auricle:
not present
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Plant family:
Poaceae
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Leaf arrangement:
folded in bud
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Hair surface:
hairs on basal half only
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Ligule:
hairy;
membrane
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Length:
1-2 mm;
less than 1 mm
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Seed head:
spiny burs
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Width:
less than 5 mm;
6 to 15 mm
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Grass stem:
flat or oval
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