Buzz
Ever had the misfortune of stepping on a patch of sandspurs? If you have, the pain is unforgettable. Wikimedia Commons (CC By SA 4.0)Key Insights
- Sandspurs, also known as sandburrs, are aggressive weeds famous for their sharp, thorny burrs that cling to animals, clothing, and skin, easily spreading and causing harm.
- These plants flourish in dry, sandy environments, particularly in the southern U.S., becoming a real hassle during their blooming and seeding periods in the warmer months.
- Effective control involves identifying and removing the plants before they seed, using herbicides or vinegar with caution to avoid damaging other plants in the lawn. To stay safe, wear suitable clothing and carry tools when walking in areas where sandspurs might be found.
Not everyone agrees on what qualifies as a weed, but it's generally accepted as a plant people don't want around. Some adore thistles and dandelions, while others can’t stand them in their lawns. Sandspurs, however, are almost universally disliked — no one appreciates a grass that bites.
Both adults and children alike have been known to freeze in place when caught in a sandspur patch. Moving forward or backward just gets you entangled in painful, thorny, sticky balls. If you give in and sit down in despair, you’ll definitely regret it.
Sandspurs sprout from tall, upright stalks.
Wikimedia Commons (CC By 2.0)Sandspurs — also referred to as sandburr, burgrass, or buffelgrass — are a type of grass from the genus Cenchrus, found across Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas. In the U.S., sandspurs are considered an invasive weed and can be found throughout the Southern states. In colder months, they blend in with other grass species in fields and lawns. But when the warmer weather arrives, they begin to flower and seed — that’s when the real trouble begins.
All sandspur species produce tiny, thorn-covered burrs. These spines evolved as a defense mechanism for their seeds, helping them travel by clinging to animals. However, they are extremely painful to step on and hard to remove from clothing, pet fur, and sometimes even skin. They can also pose a risk to grazing animals — certain species, like Cenchrus echinatus (Southern sandbur), native to the southeastern U.S., can cause chronic kidney disease in horses if consumed over a prolonged period.
Sandspurs prefer dry, sandy soils but can adapt to other soil types as well. In warm climates, they begin germinating in late spring and continue until the first frost. If sandspurs are present in your yard, it’s crucial to identify them before they flower and remove them, or treat the affected areas with an herbicide safe for your lawn’s turf grasses, or use a spray bottle filled with white vinegar, which will kill most plants it touches.
If you're walking in an area that may have sandspurs, wearing close-toed shoes and long pants is advisable. It's also smart to carry a pair of needle-nose pliers or tweezers for easy removal. Once you’ve pulled the body of a sandspur from your foot, a spike or two may remain — try soaking your foot in warm water to soften the skin, then use a needle or tweezers to remove the remaining spike.
Stay cautious out there!
Sandspur seeds are edible. You can burn off the spines and cook the sesame-sized seeds into a porridge.
