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Indian Sandbur

Cenchrus biflorus

Found in disturbed areas, ballast, presumably only a waif. FloraQuest, phone app (app page) What its natural habitat tells you

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Not native

Not native to Alabama. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 6%

At a glance

Not yet recorded · Height · Spread · Light · Soil · Life cycle · Leaves · Bloom

This plant is missing most of its facts, so Quercus is looking them up in old botany books.

County records are not available.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

10CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including AL

Genus host records with ranges including AL · Cenchrus

  • Anicla infectaGreen Cutworm Moth
  • Dargida diffusaWheat Head Armywotm Moth
  • Helicoverpa zeaCorn Earworm Moth
  • Hylephila phyleusFiery Skipper
  • Lerema acciusClouded Skipper, Corn Leaf tier
  • Lerodea eufalaEufala Skipper, Gray Skipper, Rice Leafroller
  • Mocis latipesSmall Mocis, Striped Grass Looper
  • Mythimna unipunctaArmyworm Moth, White Speck
  • Nola cereellaSorghum Cutworm, Sorghum Webworm Moth, Sorgham Webworm Moth
  • Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)
—BeesSoutheastern regional records
—Specialist beesPollen specialists
7BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Recorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim · Cenchrus

  • Cardinalis cardinalisNorthern Cardinal
  • Passerina cirisPainted Bunting
  • Pheucticus ludovicianusRose-breasted Grosbeak
  • Porzana carolinaSora
  • Tympanuchus phasianellusSharp-tailed Grouse
  • Vireo olivaceusRed-eyed Vireo
  • Zenaida asiaticaWhite-winged Dove
Hurlbert, Olsen, Sawyer & Winner 2021, Avian Diet Database, Scientific Data 8: 260 (CC0)

Direct food only: birds recorded eating this genus across North America. Caterpillars on host plants also feed nesting birds. NC Native Plant Society: butterfly gardening

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family
Poaceae

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Conservation status

Alabama rankSNA
Global rankNot available
AL statusNot verified
Federal statusNot verified

Conservation source

Native alternatives

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Sources