Today, Spinifex (coastal grass) is a topic of great relevance and interest to many people around the world. With the advancement of technology and globalization, Spinifex (coastal grass) has become an increasingly present topic in everyday life. Whether it is an aspect related to health, education, the environment, politics or society in general, Spinifex (coastal grass) is an issue that impacts all people in one way or another. In this article, we will thoroughly explore the impact of Spinifex (coastal grass) and discuss its importance in the current context.
Spinifex | |
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Spinifex longifolius Grant Marine Park Cottesloe, Western Australia. | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Monocots |
Clade: | Commelinids |
Order: | Poales |
Family: | Poaceae |
Subfamily: | Panicoideae |
Subtribe: | Cenchrinae |
Genus: | Spinifex L. |
Type species | |
Spinifex squarrosus (syn of S. littoreus)[1] | |
Synonyms[1] | |
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Spinifex is a genus of perennial coastal plants in the grass family.[2][3][4][5]
They are one of the most common plants that grow in sand dunes along the coasts of Africa, Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia, with the ranges of some species extending north and west along the coasts of Asia as far as India and Japan.[6] As they help stabilise the sand, these grasses are an important part of the entire sand dune ecosystem. The single species indigenous to New Zealand, Spinifex sericeus,[7] is also found in Australia.[8]
Confusingly, the word "spinifex" is also used as a common name referring 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.
Species formerly included:[1]