Dune Sandbur
Cenchrus tribuloides
Last reviewed: June 2026
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
8"–24" H × 6"–18" W
Bloom
Jul, Aug, Sep
Native to
AL, DE, FL, GA and 12 more states
Dune sandbur is a native annual grass that forms low clumps in sandy coastal areas. It produces spiny seed heads from summer through fall that can stick to clothing and pet fur.
In an HOA neighborhood
Dune Sandbur takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
- Produces painful spiny burrs that stick to clothing and pets
- Appears weedy and unkempt
- Annual growth creates gaps and bare spots
Wildlife value
This grass provides habitat for some specialized insects and small wildlife in coastal dune ecosystems.
Native range data from the USDA PLANTS Database and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Does Dune Sandbur fit your yard? Open it in Pollinator Patch to check it against your sun, soil, and HOA-conscious filters.