Cenchrus spinifex
Coastal sandbur, common sandbur
(c) Douglas Goldman, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Douglas Goldman · licence
Family: Poaceae · Type: Grass
Cenchrus spinifex (Coastal sandbur) is a California grass in the Poaceae family, recognized by geographic separation and smaller spikelets.
Coastal sandbur is a naturalized perennial grass found in disturbed areas throughout California at elevations of 10 to 1,500 meters. Flowering from July to September, this plant produces pale green to tan burred inflorescences in compact clusters 2 to 5 centimeters long. Growing with decumbent stems 10 to 50 centimeters tall, it spreads across the ground in loose, sprawling patches. Its leaf blades are narrow, 3 to 28 centimeters long and 2.5 to 7 millimeters wide, with smooth upper surfaces. The distinctive spiny burs, formed by fused inner bracts, create cup-shaped clusters that easily attach to clothing and animal fur.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 0 sympatric species - geographically isolated; distinguished by geographic separation and smaller spikelets
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: 10-1500 m
Outside California: Washington, Oregon, native to southern United States, Mexico, Central America, South America
Bloom period
Cenchrus spinifex blooms Jul-Sep.
How to tell it apart
vs Setaria: Cenchrus spikelets are enclosed in a hard spiny bur; Setaria (foxtail) has free bristles beneath the spikelets and forms no bur.; vs Pennisetum: Cenchrus bristles fuse into a clinging spiny burr; Pennisetum (fountain grass) has free, plumose bristles forming a soft brush.; vs Hordeum: Cenchrus disperses as spherical spiny burs; Hordeum (foxtail barley) disperses as barbed awns breaking from a spike.; vs Bromus: Cenchrus has globular spiny burs; Bromus has awned florets in open nodding panicles, with no burs.; vs Tragus: Cenchrus burs are large (5-10 mm) with stout flattened spines fused into a cup; Tragus burs are tiny (2-4 mm) with rows of small hooked bristles.
Frequently asked questions
When does Cenchrus spinifex bloom?
Cenchrus spinifex blooms Jul-Sep.
What plant family does Cenchrus spinifex belong to?
Cenchrus spinifex is in the Poaceae family, genus Cenchrus.
What habitat does Cenchrus spinifex grow in?
Cenchrus spinifex grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.