Prairie Sandburs Have Unique Flowers

Prairie Sandbur, Krameria lanceolata, are members of the Ratany family (Krameriaceae). Prairie Sandbur grows along the ground and the leaves and stems of this plant are covered in white hairs as seen here. These native perennials bloom from April to October and prefer environments that shade them partially from the sun.

The five deep pinkish red “petals” are really sepals, the portion of flowers that usually enfolds the bud and forms the base for the petals and other flower parts. The true petals are uppermost in the center of the flowers and very small. Those pictured here have a light green basal portion to them. The fruit of these flowers is spiny and covered in wool. They are no relation to the grass-bur so commonly encountered in Texas. I think these flowers resemble tiny turkeys and that is the image I use to help me remember them.