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Cenchrus longispinus
Also called Field Sandbur, Burgrass, Bohena Beauty, Dune Sandbur, Gentle Annie, Hedgehog Grass, Long Spine Sandbur
Mat sandbur is a low, spreading summer annual grass native to North America, grown mainly as a weed rather than an ornamental. Its spiny burrs are its defining feature, and it is best controlled rather than cultivated.
Cenchrus longispinus is a species of grass, also known as spiny burr grass or gentle Annie or picco. Its fruits are clumped into "burrs" with sharp, barbed spines that can penetrate the hides and mouth of grazing animals. They can also become lodged in human clothing and skin, causing some discomfort. This activity is important for the plant's seed dispersal, as the plant is a summer annual. The species has a prostrate habit when there is no competition for light.
The species is native to North America and is considered as a noxious weed in Europe, Australia and New Zealand where it was introduced.
Pearl millet · Indian sandbur · Buffel grass · Kikuyugrass · Southern sandbur · Oriental Fountain Grass · Annual Mission Grass · Elephant Grass · Cenchrus riparius · Crimson Fountaingrass · Birdwood grass · Sandbur
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Cenchrus longispinus by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
