SafePlants

Sandbur: A Prickly Grass to Know

Sandburs, known for their distinctive spiny burs, are a common sight in many areas. Understanding their characteristics and growth habits can help you manage them in your lawn or garden.

Considerations for Pets

• Sandburs are known to catch in animal coats and can cause scratches due to their sharp spines.
• "Sandburs are prickly summer weeds that wreck havoc on barefoot boys and puppy dogs throughout the South. With their needle-sharp burs,"

Considerations for Children

• Sandburs are known to cause painful injury and can be bothersome to children playing barefoot.
• "Sandburs are prickly summer weeds that wreck havoc on barefoot boys and puppy dogs throughout the South. With their needle-sharp burs,"
• "When found in the cave, his feet were badly swollen, compelling him to travel in the river-bed to protect them from sandburs and thorns."

Common Names and Scientific Names

• Common names include: buffelgrasses, sandburs, sand spur, sticker bur, grass bur (grassbur).
• The genus is Cenchrus.
• Specific species mentioned include: Cenchrus incertus, Cenchrus longispinus, Cenchrus spinifex, Cenchrus biflorus.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Family: Gramineae/Poaceae (grass family)

Distribution and Habitat

• Sandburs are found in sandy soils, often in poorly maintained areas.
• They are prevalent in the Southern Great Plains of the United States and warm areas of the southern United States from Virginia to California.
• Indian sandbur (Cenchrus biflorus) is found in tropical and temperate regions.

Ecological Role

• Sandburs are often considered noxious weeds.
• They can be a major weed problem in various agricultural settings, including bermudagrass hay fields and field corn.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

• Sandburs are annual grasses, though some species can be biennial or perennial in certain regions.
• They are characterized by sharp, spine-covered burs enclosing the flower spikelets. These burs detach easily when ripe.
• Longspine sandbur (Cenchrus longispinus) is a loosely clumped grass.
• The blades of Cenchrus insertus feel like sandpaper.
• May form mats in some conditions.
• Spikes 1 to 4 inches long of round, spine-covered fruits.

Quirky Facts

• Shoes were optional for those who discover sandburs back in the summers of youth.

Further Information

• Nebraska Cooperative Extension G74-121-A provides information on sandbur control in field corn.