Acanthospermum hispidumAcanthospermum hispidumTaxonomy
Acanthospermum hispidum DC., Prodr. 5: 522 (1836).
Common synonyms
Acanthospermum humile var. hispidum (DC.) KuntzeCommon name
Starburr, bristly starburr, goat's head, cockspur, and variations of these
Description
Propagule or dispersal unit is the fruit with enveloping bracts. Fertile part (4-)4.5-6.5(-7) mm long, 2-3 mm wide, in side view widest in upper part (obovoid), +/- straight, the upper (apical) end suddenly cut off (truncate), in cross-section flattened, basal scar (carpopodium) inconspicuous and undifferentiated, off to the side (oblique) or at least asymmetric, beak (=thinner sterile stalk between seed and pappus) absent, wings absent, propagule surface light brown or straw, prickly, with glands or glandular hairs, thickened margin absent, longitudinal ribs absent.
Pappus absent or two large spines (by misinterpretation), +/- similar, up to 3-5 mm long, in one row, persistent, the individual spines smooth or serrated or barbed, +/- divergent, +/- straight or curved.
Ecology
Annual herb, fruits dispersed by sticking to fur or clothes. Tropical regions. Found in pastures, crops, disturbed places, wastelands and along roadsides.
Native range
Central America, Caribbean, French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina
Introduced range
United States, most of tropical Africa, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Australia
