Spinifex (genus)

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Spinifex grass

Spinifex longifolius

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Liliopsida
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Spinifex L.

Species

S. sericeus - Beach Spinifex

This article is about a coastal grass species. For the grass species of arid Australia, also commonly referred to as Spinefex, see Triodia (plant genus).

Spinifex is a genus of coastal grasses. Unlike the plants of the related genus Triodia, Spinifex species are found only in wet habitats along coastlines. It is often planted along coastal regions, in snow drifts and to bind sand along the seashore.

Of the four species three are indigenous to Australia, one to Indonesia. The one indigenous New Zealand is also found in Australia.^[1]

The term "Spinifex" also refers to porcupine grass, any of a group of spiny-leaved, tussock-forming grasses of genus Triodia native to inland Australia.

[edit] References

^ Webb, C.J.; Sykes, W.R.; Garnock-Jones, P.J. (1988). Flora of New Zealand Volume IV. Botany Division, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research.

[edit] Further reading

Stretch, John (1996) Fire management of spinifex pastures in the coastal and west Pilbara South Perth, W.A. Agriculture Western Australia. Miscellaneous publication, 1326-4168 ; 23/96
Williams. A.R. and Tauss, R (editors) (1990) The Utilization of spinifex for pastoral purposes : proceedings of a workshop held at Yeelirrie Station on November 14, 1989 Sandstone, W.A. Sandstone Land Conservation District.