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sanddune sandbur

Scientific Name: Cenchrus tribuloides

Family: Poaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Graminoid

Duration: Annual

Other Names: NY (dune sandspur)

       

Sanddune Sandbur (Cenchrus tribuloides)

Cenchrus tribuloides, commonly known as sanddune sandbur, is a graminoid plant found in various sandy environments.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant is commonly referred to as "sandburs" or "sand spur," which may indicate the presence of burs that could attach to animal fur or skin.

Considerations for Children

  • Common names include "sandburs" or "sand spur," which may indicate the presence of burs that could pose a hazard.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cenchrus tribuloides L.
  • Family: Poaceae (grasses, gramines)
  • Genus: Cenchrus L. (sandbur)
  • Synonyms: Cenchrus macrocephalus
  • Common Names:
    • Sanddune sandbur
    • Sand-dune sandbur
    • Buffelgrasses
    • Sandburs
    • Sand spur
    • Dune Sandbur
    • Guizazo de playa (Spanish)
    • Sand-dune Bur-grass
    • Small Bur-grass

Distribution and Habitat

  • Cenchrus tribuloides is found in North and South America, the West Indies, Hawaii, Bermuda, and along the coast of Delaware and Maryland.
  • It typically grows in coastal dunes and sandy beaches.

Ecological Role

  • In some regions, such as the Backdune, Cenchrus tribuloides is considered invasive.

Morphological Characteristics

  • It is an annual plant, meaning it completes its life cycle within one year.

Quirky Facts

  • Sanddune sandbur has been "spotted for missions" near Tybee Island, Georgia.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • It is associated with various animals in dune and salt marsh habitats, including the eastern hognose snake, tiger beetle, and several crab species.

Further Information

  • USDA PLANTS database
  • Discover Life
  • Plants of Hawaii (Forest and Kim Starr)
  • Wikimedia Commons