Sandbur, also called bur grass, is a troublesome prickly weed that originally came from the plains of the western United States. It now grows in sandy places in almost all temperate and tropical countries. A closely related species called the cockspur is common in the South.
The stem of the plant grows from 1 to 2 feet (30 to 61 centimeters) high. It bears spikes with 10 to 20 shiny, sharp-spined burs that cause painful wounds when they prick the flesh.
