24 Nebraskaland • August-September 2023
Sandburs
Sandbur (Cenchrus
longispinus) is a native
annual grass that grows
statewide in dry
habitats and, like
cocklebur, produces
seeds inside sharp-
pointed burs. It doesn't
compete well with most perennial plants, so it is often
found in areas of sparse vegetation, or along the edges of
trails and roads. Conveniently, of course, that's where people
and animals are likely to brush up against them. Sandburs
are native in North America, but we have managed to export
them to Europe, Australia and New Zealand, where they are
appreciated about as much as they are here.
The burs of sandbur contain one to three seeds. Each bur
features robust spines that point in every direction and easily
penetrate clothing or skin. During the late summer and early
fall, the burs are strategically located at ankle height, where
pant legs, socks and boot laces can interact with them.
Beggarticks
Beggarticks, aka beggar-ticks,
beggar's ticks or (obviously)
Spanish needles, are all names
given to a group of annual broadleaf
plants in the genus Bidens. Most
are found in wet habitats, where
some produce showy sunfl ower-like
blossoms and others don't. They are
annual plants that often occur where
water level fl uctuations or something
else prevents perennial plants from
being strongly established.
The seeds of beggarticks plants are
encased within an elongated, hardened
fruit with barbed awns at one end. Those
awns make the fruits look like multi-
tined spearfi shing spear heads. They are
certainly eff ective at spearing clothing,
but they can also tangle themselves up in
fur or hair.
Beggarticks (Bidens) at the Nature Conservancy's
Platte River Prairies.
Sandburs (Cenchrus longispinus) at the Nature
Conservancy's Platte River Prairies in Hall County.
