Family: Poaceae
field sandbur, innocent-weed, mat sandbur, sandbur
Robert W. Freckmann
Emmet J. Judziewicz
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Cenchrus: ancient Greek name of "Setaria italica"
Plants: annual grass
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: annual grass
Conservation Status: Native
Sand prairies and barrens, open sand and sandblows, pine barrens, fields, sandy riverbanks, sandstone outcrops and bluffs, sandbars and river islands, beaches and dunes, along roadsides and railroads, waste areas, old quarries and gravel pits.
This is a native but very weedy species, the hard burs easily (and painfully!) dispersed by animals and hikers. Perhaps originally native only to areas near the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers but now spread widely.
This is a native but very weedy species, the hard burs easily (and painfully!) dispersed by animals and hikers. Perhaps originally native only to areas near the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers but now spread widely.
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 0 USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Grasses of Iowa: Detailed photographs, descriptions, maps Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key.
Robert W. Freckmann
Emmet J. Judziewicz
