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, Ecuador, 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, Venezuela, 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
- Bloom Colors:
- green, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, small mammals
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
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
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily in warm soil without pretreatment.