Family: Poaceae
Author: Cav.
Bibliography: Icon. 5: 38 (1799)
Year: 1799
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Cenchrus
Vegetable: False
Observations: C. & S. U.S.A. to Trop. & Subtrop. America
Description
Field sandbur, botanically recognized as Cenchrus spinifex, is a notable grass species belonging to the Poaceae family. First described in the late 18th century by the botanist Cav. in “Icones et Descriptiones Plantarum,” this resilient plant has garnered attention for its distinctive and somewhat troublesome characteristics.
Widespread across the warm climates, field sandbur can be found extensively from the central and southern regions of the United States, stretching into tropical and subtropical areas of the Americas. Its adaptability to varying environmental conditions has allowed it to thrive in these diverse locales, often becoming a common inhabitant of fields, open spaces, and disturbed areas.
The plant itself is characterized by its growth form and the presence of burs — small, spiky structures that can attach themselves to animals, clothing, and machinery, aiding in the plant’s dispersal. This propagation strategy, while beneficial for the species, often makes field sandbur a nuisance for farmers, gardeners, and outdoor enthusiasts.
Its ecological role, however, is not solely as a pest. Like other grasses, field sandbur plays a part in soil stabilization and can contribute to the biodiversity of its habitat. Nevertheless, its presence in agricultural settings is typically unwelcome due to the challenges it presents in terms of crop growth and harvest.
Understanding the spread and control of Cenchrus spinifex is crucial for managing its impact on both natural ecosystems and human activities. Continued study and observation will help in developing strategies to mitigate its more negative effects while appreciating the unique adaptations that have enabled this plant to flourish across such a wide geographical range.
Common Names
Eng: coast sandbur, coast sandbur grass, coastal sandbur, common sandbur, field sandbur, mat sandbur, spiny bur grass
Spa: guizazo
Swe: igelkottshirs
Por: roseta
En: Field sandbur, Mat sandbur, Spiny bur grass, Coast sandbur, Coast sandbur grass, Coastal sandbur, Common sandbur, Coastal sandspur, Coast sandspur
Fr: Cenchrus
Pt: Roseta
Pt-br: Capim-amoroso-da-areia, Capim-carrapicho-da-areia
Es: Guizazo
Sv: Igelkottshirs
Synonyms
- Cenchrus spinosus (Rojas Acosta)
- Cenchrus microcephalus (Nash ex Hitchc. & Chase)
- Cenchrus carolinianus (Walter)
- Cenchrus albertsonii (Runyon)
- Cenchrus pauciflorus var. muricatus (Caro & E.A.Sánchez)
- Cenchrus strictus (Chapm.)
- Cenchrus pauciflorus (Benth.)
- Cenchrus humilis (Hitchc.)
- Cenchrus parviceps (Shinners)
- Cenchrus roseus (E.Fourn. ex Hemsl.)
- Nastus carolinianus ((Walter) Lunell)
- Cenchrus incertus (M.A.Curtis)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- Bahamas (native)
- Belize (native)
- Bolivia (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- California (native)
- Cayman Is. (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Colombia (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Costa Rica (native)
- Cuba (native)
- District of Columbia (native)
- Dominican Republic (native)
- Ecuador (native)
- El Salvador (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Haiti (native)
- Honduras (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Jamaica (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Leeward Is. (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- New York (native)
- Nicaragua (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Panamá (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Peru (native)
- Puerto Rico (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Venezuelan Antilles (native)
- Virginia (native)
- Windward Is. (native)
- Austria (introduced)
- Azores (introduced)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Corse (introduced)
- France (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Italy (introduced)
- Japan (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Libya (introduced)
- Maine (introduced)
- Manchuria (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Palestine (introduced)
- Spain (introduced)
- Ukraine (introduced)
- Vermont (introduced)
- Yugoslavia (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Apr 4, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Jan 27, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 30, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Apr 4, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5289726)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:395325-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cenchrus spinifex Cav.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Graminoid