What Are Sand Burrs?
Sandburs are known throughout the United States by many different common names including coast sandspur, field sandbur and spiny burrgrass. Sandburs are a member of the plant genus Cenchrus, which is a part of the grass family. Sandburs are a weed and need to be managed as such by taking measures to prevent habitat conditions preferred by the plant. Does this Spark an idea?
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Description
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Sandburs are grassy weeds. They prefer areas of full sun and well-drained soil, such as in sandy areas where other grasses have not yet been established. You might have to deal with a sandbur infestation if you have recently moved onto a property where a lawn has not been established or where the lawn has been weakened from neglect. The plant is a summer annual, but it can grow in some areas from early spring to the first hard frost of the fall. It produces seed heads which spread and populate the area with new plants the following season.
Seed Heads
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The common name of sandbur comes from the prickly and sticky seed head that the weed produces. These seed heads are small balls with spikes, or burs, covering them. They hook onto clothing, animal hair and shoelaces. The seed heads can be difficult to remove, particularly from animal hair. The plant's method of spreading seed by attaching itself to moving objects, however, is productive. Seeds are often carried long distances, increasing the weed's habitat area.
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Control
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The best way to control sandburs in your yard or on your property is to establish a healthy lawn. Well-fertilized, watered and densely planted lawns will out-compete weeds trying to establish themselves in an area. Combat sandburs with an application of herbicides either prior to germination or after germination. However, the weeds will re-establish themselves if you do not follow an herbicide application with the planting and proper management of grass. Mowing your lawn will help prevent the seed heads from forming and spreading.
Removing from Clothing and Animals
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Sandburs can mat into animal hair and be difficult to remove. In some cases you might need to cut out the sandbur and the pet's hair tangled in it. When removing sandburs from clothing, individual burs will often detach from the main seed head and remain stuck to clothing. Washing the clothing may or may not remove the pesky burs. Remove them with tweezers if necessary.
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References
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