Cenchrus longispinus

Cenchrus longispinus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Subfamily: Panicoideae
Genus: Cenchrus
Species:
C. longispinus
Binomial name
Cenchrus longispinus
(Hack.) Fern.
Synonyms[1]
  • Cenchrus echinatus f. longispinus Hack.
  • Cenchrus echinatus var. longispinus (Hack.) Jansen & Wacht.
  • Cenchrus pauciflorus var. longispinus (Hack.) Jansen & Wacht.

Cenchrus longispinus is a species of grass, also known as spiny burr grass or gentle Annie or picco. Its fruits are clumped into "burrs" with sharp, barbed spines that can penetrate the hides and mouth of grazing animals. They can also become lodged in human clothing and skin, causing some discomfort.[2] This activity is important for the plant's seed dispersal, as the plant is a summer annual. [3] The species has a prostrate habit when there is no competition for light.

The species is native to North America and is considered as a noxious weed in Europe, Australia and New Zealand where it was introduced.[1][4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

  1. ^ a b Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. ^ Fernald, Merritt Lyndon 1943. Virginian botanizing under restrictions. Rhodora 45(538): 357-413
  3. ^ Hilty, John. Sandbur.
  4. ^ Victoria, Australia, Noxious Weed site
  5. ^ Distribution in Australia, native origin Archived August 30, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ DAISIE (eds.). 2009. Handbook of Alien Species in Europe. Springer, Dordrecht. 399 p. ISBN 978-1-4020-8279-5
  7. ^ Caro, J. A. & E. Sanchez. 1969. Cenchrus. In: A. Burkart, Gramineas. 2: 437–445. In A. E. Burkart (ed.) Fl. Il. Entre Ríos. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, Buenos Aires
  8. ^ DeLisle, D. G. 1963. Taxonomy and distribution of the genus Cenchrus. Iowa State College Journal of Science 37(3): 259–351
  9. ^ Herrera Arrieta, Y. 2014. Additions and updated names for grasses of Durango, Mexico. Acta Botánica Mexicana 106: 79–95
  10. ^ Sousa Sánchez, M. & E. F. Cabrera Cano. 1983. Flora de Quintana Roo. Listados Florísticos de México 2: 1–100