Field Sandbur

Cenchrus spinifex Cav.

(formerly Cenchrus incertus)

Poaceae (Grass Family)

▲ ▼ mature plants along roadside

▲ leaf sheath, collar and ligule

▲ inflorescence and burs

Sandburs: 

·         group of warm-season annual grasses, usually growing about 6-18” tall, with somewhat to mostly spreading growth habit

·         all produce spike inflorescences with spiked burs; spikes have barbs that cause burs to adhere to skin and clothing

·         prefer dry sandy soils, but can grow anywhere

·         found in cultivated soils, roadsides, non-crop areas, pastures—burs irritating to livestock

·         two species found in Missouri are:

o        field sandbur—

• has more slender leaves, often reddish stem bases, and fewer, but broader based spines on burs than longspine sandbur

o        longspine sandbur—

• has broader leaves, greenish stem bases, with more, but more slender spines on burs than field sandbur