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Spinifex (genus)
Encyclopedia
Spinifex is a genus of perennial coastal grasses. They are one of the most common plants that grow in sand dunes along the coasts of Australia
, New Zealand
and New Caledonia
.. As they help stabilise the sand, these grasses are an important part of the entire sand dune ecosystem. Of the four species three are indigenous to Australia and one to Indonesia
. The single species indigenous to New Zealand, Spinifex sericeus, is also found in Australia.
Confusingly, the term "Spinifex" also refers to grasses in the related genus Triodia
. Triodia however is native to inland Australia and refers to a group of spiny-leaved, tussock-forming grasses.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and New Caledonia
New Caledonia
New Caledonia is a special collectivity of France located in the southwest Pacific Ocean, east of Australia and about from Metropolitan France. The archipelago, part of the Melanesia subregion, includes the main island of Grande Terre, the Loyalty Islands, the Belep archipelago, the Isle of...
.. As they help stabilise the sand, these grasses are an important part of the entire sand dune ecosystem. Of the four species three are indigenous to Australia and one to Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
. The single species indigenous to New Zealand, Spinifex sericeus, is also found in Australia.
Confusingly, the term "Spinifex" also refers to grasses in the related genus Triodia
Triodia (plant genus)
Triodia is a large genus of hummock-forming grass endemic to Australia; they are commonly known as spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex. There are currently 64 recognised species...
. Triodia however is native to inland Australia and refers to a group of spiny-leaved, tussock-forming grasses.
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.