Field Sandbur

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:
- field sandbur
  - has more slender leaves, often reddish stem bases, and fewer, but broader based spines on burs than longspine sandbur
- longspine sandbur
  - has broader leaves, greenish stem bases, with more, but more slender spines on burs than field sandbur