Cenchrus is a widespread genus of plants in the grass family.[3][6] Its species are native to many countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, and various oceanic islands.[7][8]
Common names include buffelgrasses, sandburs, and sand spur “sticky bur”. Such names allude to the sharp, spine-covered burrs characterizing the inflorescences of the members of the genus.[9]
Some botanists include the genus within the related genus Pennisetum.
Several species are now considered better suited to other genera: Anthephora, Centotheca, Dactyloctenium, Echinaria, Echinolaena, Hackelochloa, Hilaria, Pennisetum, Phragmites, Scleria, Setaria, Trachys, Tragus, Tribolium.
Sand spur in front of a centimeter scale
Sandspurs with 1mm markings
Cenchrus is a widespread genus of plants in the grass family. Its species are native to many countries in Asia, Africa, Australia, the Americas, and various oceanic islands.
Common names include buffelgrasses, sandburs, and sand spur “sticky bur”. Such names allude to the sharp, spine-covered burrs characterizing the inflorescences of the members of the genus.
Some botanists include the genus within the related genus Pennisetum.
Species Cenchrus abyssinicus (Hack.) Morrone - Ethiopia, Tanzania, Yemen, Limpopo, Mpumalanga Cenchrus agrimonioides Trin. – kāmanomano - Hawaiian Islands Cenchrus arnhemicus (F.Muell.) Morrone - Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory) Cenchrus biflorus Roxb. – kram-kram - Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Madagascar Cenchrus brevisetosus (B.K.Simon) B.K.Simon - Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland) Cenchrus brownii Roem. & Schult. - North + South America, West Indies Cenchrus caliculatus Cav. - Australia, New Zealand, assorted islands in Pacific + Indian Oceans Cenchrus ciliaris L. – buffelgrass - Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Sicily; naturalized as a nutritious arid land pasture in parts of North and South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, various islands; considered noxious weed in some places Cenchrus clandestinus (Hochst. ex Chiov.) Morrone Cenchrus distichophyllus - Cuba Cenchrus echinatus L. – common sandbur - North + South America, West Indies; naturalized in parts of Africa, southern Asia, various islands Cenchrus elegans Veldkamp - Malesia Cenchrus elymoides - Australia (Western Australia, Northern Territory, Queensland) Cenchrus gracillimus Nash - West Indies, southeastern USA Cenchrus longispinus (Hack.) Fern. – mat sandbur - Canada, USA, Mexico Cenchrus mitis Andersson - Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Mozambique Cenchrus multiflorus J.Presl - Mexico, Central America Cenchrus myosuroides Kunth - North + South America, West Indies Cenchrus palmeri Vasey - Baja California, Baja California Sur, Sonora, Sinaloa, Arizona Cenchrus pennisetiformis Steud. - Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent Cenchrus pilosus Kunth - from central Mexico to northern Chile Cenchrus platyacanthus Andersson - Galápagos Cenchrus prieurii - Sahara, Arabian Peninsula, Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar Cenchrus purpureus (Schumach.) Morrone – Africa, Oman Cenchrus robustus - Queensland, New South Wales Cenchrus setaceus – tender fountain grass, crimson fountaingrass – northern Africa, southwestern Asia; naturalized in Australia, New Zealand, scattered places in Europe and the Americas Cenchrus setiger Vahl - Sahara, East Africa, Arabian Peninsula, Iran, Indian Subcontinent, Myanmar, Andaman & Nicobar Cenchrus somalensis - Somalia Cenchrus spinifex Cav. – coastal sandbur - North + South America, West Indies Cenchrus tribuloides L. – sanddune sandbur - North + South America, West Indies Formerly includedSeveral species are now considered better suited to other genera: Anthephora, Centotheca, Dactyloctenium, Echinaria, Echinolaena, Hackelochloa, Hilaria, Pennisetum, Phragmites, Scleria, Setaria, Trachys, Tragus, Tribolium.
Sand spur in front of a centimeter scale
Sandspurs with 1mm markings
