WEED ID · SUMMER ANNUAL GRASS
Grassbur (sandbur)
Also called Sandbur, sticker bur, field sandbur
A grassy weed that makes sharp, spiny burs. They stick to shoes, pets, and bare feet, and each bur spreads more seed.
How to spot it
- Grass-like plant with flat stems, often purple at the base
- Leaves are hairless when young
- Spike-like seedhead made of small burs with sharp spines
- Burs stick to socks, shoes, and pet fur
- Grows low and spreads in thin, sandy, or dry spots
Why it shows up
Grassbur sprouts in late spring when the soil warms up. It does best in thin, dry, or sandy turf where the lawn can’t crowd it out. The burs hitch rides on people and pets, so it spreads to new spots.
How we treat it
Grassbur is hard to catch once the burs form, so timing is key. We apply a pre-emergent in the right window for the season. For plants already up, we spot treat young plants with a product labeled for your grass type. We also fertilize to thicken the lawn, since dense turf crowds out seedlings.
What you can do
- Pull single plants by hand (wear gloves) before they make burs.
- Water deep and keep the lawn thick. Thin turf invites grassburs.
- Look for it in late spring and early summer, when plants are still small.
WANT IT HANDLED?
Let a licensed applicator take it from here.
Tell us about your lawn. We’ll get back to you with a free quote.
Prefer to talk? 817-382-1722Licensed applicator, Texas Department of Agriculture · License #0984138