Cenchrus spinifex

Coastal sandbur, common sandbur

Family: Poaceae · Type: perennial

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.

Habitat: Disturbed areas

Bloom period: Jul-Sep

Elevation: 10-1500 m

Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Jepson eFlora, Cal-IPC, and more.