''Cenchrus longispinus'' is a species of
grass
Poaceae () or Gramineae () is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants commonly known as grasses. It includes the cereal grasses, bamboos and the grasses of natural grassland and species cultivated in law ...
, also known as spiny burr grass or gentle Annie. 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, causing some discomfort.
The species is native to
North America (Canada, Mexico, and the United States). It is a
noxious weed
A noxious weed, harmful weed or injurious weed is a weed that has been designated by an agricultural or other governing authority as a plant that is injurious to agricultural or horticultural crops, natural habitats or ecosystems, or humans or liv ...
in
Europe
Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a subcontinent of Eurasia and it is located enti ...
, Australia and New Zealand where it was
introduced.
[Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families]
/ref>[Sousa Sánchez, M. & E. F. Cabrera Cano. 1983. Flora de Quintana Roo. Listados Florísticos de México 2: 1–100]
References
longispinus
Grasses of North America
Grasses of Canada
Grasses of Mexico
Grasses of the United States
Grasses of Alabama
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