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sandbur

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | 565 words | Copyright

sandbur or bur grass, any species of the genus Cenchrus of the family Gramineae ( grass family), sandy-soil plants of tropical and temperate regions. At maturity the sharp spines and burlike seeds make the plant a troublesome weed, especially to sheepgrowers. The name sandbur is sometimes used for the buffalo bur and the horse nettle of the family Solanaceae ( nightshade family). The family Gramineae is classified in the division Magnoliophyta , class Liliopsida, order Cyperales. The Solanaceae is in the class Magnoliopsida, order Polemoniales.

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