Innocent-weed Cenchrus longispinus
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Cenchrus pauciflorus var. longispinus
- Phonetic Spelling
- SEN-crus lon-gih-SPEE-nus
- Description
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Mat Sandbur is a loosely clumped summer annual grass with branching stems, referred to as culms, of up to 2.5' long. Under certain conditions, it can persist as a biennial or perennial. It is also considered a winter annual, that is, it can live for one year, with a winter included.
Several culms are produced from the base that may sprawl along the ground or stand in an ascending fashion. In their natural habitat, they can be found growing in sandy sites, abandoned fields and in areas that have been disturbed recently.
Its aggressive, invasive nature is intensified by its bur's ability to latch onto the fur of animals and the clothing of passersby to be spread to other locations. They can also attach themselves to vehicle tires or be washed to new locations via rainfall. Additional rooting can take place where the nodes touch the ground.
The main flower stalk axis is wavy. Typically, each spike can contain 40 and occasionally up to 50 burs. The spike is enclosed by a leaf sheath.
They often form large mats and can grow up to 2' in length.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant can be invasive. The burs can prick the skin when dry out. Farm animals are often injured when grazing in locations where this plant is growing, often injuring their mouths and eye.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- longispinus
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- North America, Mexico and South America
- Distribution:
- AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NC, ND, NE. NH, NJ, MN, MV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX UT, VA, TV WA, WI, WV, WY
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Weed
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Horizontal
- Prostrate
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- High
- Texture:
- Coarse
- Appendage:
- Prickles
- Thorns
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Sand
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Caryopsis
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruits are contained in the spiny burs that are along the terminal panicle. They consist of 1 to 3 seeds each. When dried, the burs become sharp and attach to the clothing or shoelaces of passersby.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Irregular
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- The flower is a spike-like clusters of 1-4" long at the stem tips. They are enclosed in round, spine-covered, yellow-green burs.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Sheath
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Linear
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves, that can reach lengths of up to 6", form along the entire length of the stems. The upper side is rough, with a smooth lower surface. They can be flat, or folded lengthwise and sometimes rolled up slightly on the edges.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Cross Section:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The light green stems or culms is covered by a sheath of leaves. They may have a reddish color near the base.
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Landscape:
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy