Spinifex

Dispersed widely through the deserts, and called Spinifex by the explorers.

Australia Twice Traversed, Illustrated, Ernest Giles 1866

At left, "Spinifex" by Holly Pepper of Western Australia.

Sculpture by the Sea 2010

At left, "Spinifex" by Holly Pepper of Western Australia.

Sculpture by the Sea 2010

At left, "Spinifex" by Holly Pepper of Western Australia.

Sculpture by the Sea 2010

I do not know its right name, and have seen it described as "Spinifex,"

Spinifex and Sand David Wynford Carnegie 1885

"Spinifex" grows in round, isolated hummocks, one to three feet high; these hummocks are a dense mass of needle-like prickles, and from them grow tall blades of very coarse grass to a height of sometimes six feet.

Spinifex and Sand David Wynford Carnegie 1885

Characteristic species include Ipomoea pescaprae, Spinifex littoreus and Canavalia maritima.

Ujung Kulon National Park and Krakatau Nature Reserve, Indonesia 2009

The Horowhenua floodplains, northwest of Wellington, still have dunes dominated by native sand-binders spinifex (Spinifex sericeus) and pingao (Desmoschoenus spiralis) as well as many estuaries and ephemeral inland wetlands.

Northland temperate forests 2008

East of the rain forest, on the most seaward dunes, is a characteristic East Coast dune flora with the pioneer grass Spinifex sericeus.

Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, Australia 2008

Spinifex grass Triodia irritans forms almost pure stands on the Kata Tjuta, whilst on the less steep slopes Acacia spp.,

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Australia 2008