Cenchrus echinatus

Common name: Burrgrass

Meaning of name:

Cenchrus is from the Greek word cegchros, which is a type of millet. Echinatus is the Latin word meaning hedgehog. Botanically it refers to having prickles like a hedgehog.

Distribution:

Occurs on disturbed ground and road verges across much of Australia.

Description:

An annual to 1 metre tall. The purple flower spike is produced for much of the year.

Notes:

This species is originally from North and South America.

References:

Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 1997.

Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.

Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.

Description and key to the identification of Grasses in South-Western Australia. JG Paterson. 1992.

Atlas of Living Australia https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2888016

Florabase https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/259