Mat Sandbur: A Native Grass You’ll Want to Avoid in Your Garden
If you’ve ever had the unfortunate experience of stepping on a mat sandbur (Cenchrus longispinus) with bare feet, you’ll never forget it. This native North American grass might have earned its place in our continent’s natural heritage, but it’s definitely not welcome in most home gardens. Let’s explore why this prickly customer is one native plant you’ll probably want to keep at arm’s length.
What is Mat Sandbur?
Mat sandbur is an annual grass that’s native to both Canada and the lower 48 states. While we should generally celebrate our native plants, this particular species has earned a reputation as more of a nuisance than a garden treasure. The plant gets its common name from its habit of forming low, spreading mats and producing those infamous spiny seed heads called burs that seem to have a magnetic attraction to socks, shoes, and unsuspecting bare feet.
You might also encounter this plant listed under its synonym Cenchrus carolinianus in some older references, but regardless of what you call it, the experience of meeting its burs remains memorably unpleasant.
Where Does Mat Sandbur Grow?
This adaptable grass has an impressively wide distribution across North America. You can find mat sandbur growing in nearly every state and several Canadian provinces, from Alabama to Wyoming, and from British Columbia to Quebec. It’s particularly common in sandy, disturbed soils and seems to pop up wherever the ground has been recently disturbed.
Why You Probably Don’t Want Mat Sandbur in Your Garden
While mat sandbur is undeniably native, there are several compelling reasons why most gardeners choose to keep it out of their landscapes:
- Those painful burs: The sharp, spiny seed heads can penetrate shoes and cause real discomfort
- Limited aesthetic appeal: As an annual grass, it doesn’t offer the consistent beauty that most gardeners seek
- Weedy growth habit: It tends to colonize disturbed areas rather than integrate nicely into planned garden designs
- No significant pollinator benefits: Being wind-pollinated, it doesn’t attract beneficial insects like many other native plants do
Growing Conditions and Characteristics
Understanding where mat sandbur thrives can help you either avoid creating conditions that favor it or manage existing populations. This annual grass is remarkably adaptable and can grow across a wide range of USDA hardiness zones, as long as summers provide enough warmth for it to complete its life cycle.
Mat sandbur has specific wetland preferences depending on your region. In most areas, including the Arid West, Eastern Mountains and Piedmont, Great Plains, Midwest, Northcentral & Northeast, and Western Mountains regions, it’s classified as Obligate Upland, meaning it almost never occurs in wetlands. However, in the Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain region, it’s considered Facultative Upland, which means it usually grows in non-wetland areas but may occasionally appear in wetland edges.
The plant particularly loves:
- Sandy, well-draining soils
- Disturbed ground
- Full sun exposure
- Areas with minimal competition from other plants
Managing Mat Sandbur
If you find mat sandbur growing in your garden or landscape, early intervention is key. Since it’s an annual, preventing seed production can help reduce future populations. Hand-pulling young plants before they develop those notorious burs is the safest approach, though you’ll want to wear gloves and long pants to protect yourself.
The best long-term strategy is to maintain healthy, dense plantings of desirable plants that can outcompete mat sandbur for space and resources. A thick lawn or well-established native plant garden typically won’t provide the disturbed soil conditions that mat sandbur prefers.
Better Native Alternatives
Instead of mat sandbur, consider these beautiful native grasses that offer the ecological benefits of native plants without the painful drawbacks:
- Buffalo grass – A low-growing, drought-tolerant option for western regions
- Little bluestem – Attractive ornamental grass with beautiful fall color
- Prairie dropseed – Elegant, fine-textured grass perfect for naturalistic plantings
- Switchgrass – Tall, architectural grass that provides great wildlife habitat
The Bottom Line
While mat sandbur deserves respect as a native species that plays its role in natural ecosystems, it’s perfectly reasonable to keep it out of your home landscape. Being native doesn’t automatically make a plant garden-worthy, and mat sandbur is a perfect example of why thoughtful plant selection matters more than simply choosing based on native status alone.
Focus your native plant gardening efforts on species that offer beauty, wildlife benefits, and human enjoyment without the risk of painful encounters. Your feet (and your family’s feet) will thank you for it!
