California Invasive Plant Council

Cenchrus longispinus

Common names: mat sandbur

Cenchrus longispinus (mat sandbur) is an annual grass (family Poaceae) that can grow up to 2 feet tall and is found in the Central Valley, Modoc Plateau area, and the south coast and desert ranges of California. It is native to the central and eastern United States. It favors grasslands and dunes. It reproduces by seeds which disperse by clinging to animals, shoes, clothing, machinery and floating on water.

Cal-IPC Rating: Watch

Cal-IPC Assessment

Plant Risk Assessment - An evaluation of the potential for a plant to be invasive in California.

Weed RIC Management Notes

• Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

There are no newsletter articles associated with this species yet.

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

There are no Symposium presentations associated with this species yet.

Other Cenchrus longispinus Information

• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Calflora - See the distribution of this species on Calflora's map of California.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
• CDFA - California official noxious weeds.
• USDA PLANTS Database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.