Southern Sandbur
Cenchrus echinatus
- Native to:
- Argentina, Aruba, Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cayman Is., Central American Pacific Is., Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Desventurados Is., Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Galápagos, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Leeward Is., Mexico, Navassa Island, Netherlands Antilles, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Southwest Caribbean, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Turks-Caicos Is., U.S. Minor Outlying Islands, United States, Uruguay, Venezuelan Antilles, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © napoc (iNaturalist #323465209)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Poaceae
- Genus:
- Cenchrus
- Species:
- Cenchrus echinatus
- USDA Symbol:
- CEEC
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Growth Habit:
- Graminoid
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
Wildlife Benefits
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts from base and readily recolonizes disturbed or burned areas as an annual or short-lived perennial.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-poor soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas and coastal regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Germinates readily in warm conditions without pretreatment. Light may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI