Mossman river grass (Cenchrus echinatus, Sp. Pl.: 1050 (1753))

Family: Poaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 1050 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cenchrus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: C. & S. U.S.A. to Trop. & Subtrop. America

Description

Mossman river grass, scientifically known as Cenchrus echinatus, is an intriguing and widespread species belonging to the Poaceae family. The species was first documented in the monumental work “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus, often denoted simply as “L.”

This grass is notable for its presence across a broad range of geographic locales, flourishing in both the central and southern regions of the United States and extending its reach into the tropical and subtropical zones of the Americas. This wide distribution is a testament to the adaptability and hardiness of Mossman river grass, as it thrives in diverse environmental conditions.

Cenchrus echinatus is particularly recognized for its characteristic spiny burs, which are a prominent feature of the grass and play a crucial role in its seed dispersal mechanism. These burs can easily adhere to animal fur or human clothing, facilitating the plant’s propagation over considerable distances.

Typically found in a variety of habitats, from open fields and pastures to roadsides and disturbed areas, Mossman river grass can pose challenges in agricultural settings. Its robust nature and ability to compete with crops have classified it as a weed in some regions, prompting management and control efforts to mitigate its impact on agricultural productivity.

The plant’s morphology includes erect or ascending culms that can grow to significant heights, adorned with narrow, elongated leaves. The inflorescences are composed of spiny burs, which not only serve as protective mechanisms against herbivores but also aid in the plant’s reproductive cycle.

Despite being considered a weed in agricultural contexts, Mossman river grass holds ecological value. It contributes to soil stabilization and offers habitat and sustenance for various wildlife species. Understanding its role within ecosystems and addressing the challenges it presents in human-managed landscapes continues to be a focus of botanical and agricultural research.

In summary, Mossman river grass (Cenchrus echinatus) is a resilient and widely-distributed species within the Poaceae family, notable for its distinctive spiny burs and ecological adaptability. While it presents certain challenges in agricultural contexts, it remains an integral component of the diverse ecosystems where it thrives.

Common Names

Heb: fuka kotzanit, פוקה קוצנית
Eng: mossman river grass, southern sandbur, spiny sandbur, bur grass, burgrass, common sandbur, field sandbur, hedgehog grass, innocent-weed, sandburr, southern sandbur grass, burrgrass
Dan: svinehale
Spa: cadillo, guizazo
Por: capim-amoroso, capim-carrapicho, capim-roseta, carrapicho-de-roseta, espinho-de-carneiro, espinho-de-carrapicho, timbête
Swe: tagghirs
Cym: gwrychwellt pigog
En: Mossman River grass, Bur grass, Innocent-weed, Hedgehog grass, Spiny sandbur, Southern sandbur, Southern sandbur grass, Southern Sandburr, Burgrass, Common sandbur, Field sandbur, Sandburr, Burrgrass, Southern burgrass
Zh: 蒺藜草
Da: Svinehale
Fi: Otaharjasheinä
Fr: Cram-cram, Herbe pagode, Cenchrus épineux
He: Fuka kotzanit, פוקה קוצנית
Ko: 미국가시풀
Nv: Tłʼoh hosh
Pt: Capim-amoroso, Capim-carrapicho, Capim-roseta, Carrapicho-de-roseta, Espinho-de-carneiro, Espinho-de-carrapicho, Timbête
Pt-br: Capim-roseta, Capim-timbete, Capim-amoroso, Capim-carrapicho
Es: Guizazo, Cadillo
Sv: Tagghirs
Zh-tw: 蒺藜草
Th: หญ้าสนกระจับ
Cy: Gwrychwellt pigog

Synonyms

• Cenchrus macrocarpus (Ledeb. ex Steud.)
• Cenchrus echinatus var. brevisetus ((E.Fourn. ex Hemsl.) Scribn.)
• Cenchrus echinatus var. hillebrandianus ((Hitchc.) F.Br.)
• Cenchrus hillebrandianus (Hitchc.)
• Cenchrus cavanillesii (Tausch)
• Panicastrella muricata (Moench)
• Cenchrus pungens (Kunth)
• Cenchrus brevisetus (E.Fourn. ex Hemsl.)
• Cenchrus insularis (Scribn.)
• Cenchrus echinatus var. morisonii (Kuntze)
• Cenchrus echinatus var. pennisetoides (F.Br.)
• Cenchrus echinatus var. glabratus (F.Br.)
• Cenchrus lechleri (Steud.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Aruba (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bermuda (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• California (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central American Pac (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Desventurados Is. (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• Nevada (native)
• New Mexico (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Aldabra (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Verde (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Easter Is. (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• Equatorial Guinea (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Gabon (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Greece (introduced)
• Gulf States (introduced)
• Hainan (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Japan (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Lebanon-Syria (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marquesas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexican Pacific Is. (introduced)
• Mozambique Channel I (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Palestine (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Phoenix Is. (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Samoa (introduced)
• Saudi Arabia (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• South China Sea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Tuvalu (introduced)
• Vanuatu (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Wake I. (introduced)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Apr 15, 2020 by JP Corrêa Carvalho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Naushad BM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 18, 2019 by Edilberto Duarte (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 30, 2020 by Michael byerly (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Nov 5, 2014 by EOL − Linda Jo Conn (cc-by-nc)

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 16, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Naushad BM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2022 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 7, 2022 by m pm (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 21, 2022 by Rezende Dydimo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2022 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 7, 2022 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 16, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 22, 2022 by Naushad BM (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2022 by Chris Griggs (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2019 by Miora DJOHOUN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 18, 2020 by pietro (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Dec 8, 2022 by M. Hedayat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − W. L. Wagner (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by OTS – Zahawi, Zak (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by OTS – Zahawi, Zak (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by OTS – Zahawi, Zak (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by OTS – Zahawi, Zak (cc-by-nc-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/5289739)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:316518-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cenchrus echinatus L.)

Specifications

Growth