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Triodia (plant genus)
Encyclopedia
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 (Lazarides 1997). Many of the soft-leaved members of this species were formerly included in the genus Plectrachne.
Triodia is a perennial
Australia
n grass
which grows in arid regions and has awl-shaped, pointed leaves. The leaf tips (high in silica) can break off in the skin, leading to infections.
Spinifex has traditionally had many uses for Australian Aborigines
. The seeds were collected and ground to make seedcakes. Spinifex resin
was an important adhesive used in spear-making. Smoke signal
s were made to communicate with families and groups a long distance away, as burning spinifex produces a strong black smoke.
The species Triodia wiseana is used for building shelters; bunched together it is used for trapping fish against creek beds. It is called Baru in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people, the English term is Hard Spinifex.
Endemic (ecology)
Endemism is the ecological state of being unique to a defined geographic location, such as an island, nation or other defined zone, or habitat type; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found elsewhere. For example, all species of lemur are endemic to the...
to Australia; they are commonly known as spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex
Spinifex (genus)
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...
. There are currently 64 recognised species (Lazarides 1997). Many of the soft-leaved members of this species were formerly included in the genus Plectrachne.
Triodia is a perennial
Perennial plant
A perennial plant or simply perennial is a plant that lives for more than two years. The term is often used to differentiate a plant from shorter lived annuals and biennials. The term is sometimes misused by commercial gardeners or horticulturalists to describe only herbaceous perennials...
Australia
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...
n grass
Grass
Grasses, or more technically graminoids, are monocotyledonous, usually herbaceous plants with narrow leaves growing from the base. They include the "true grasses", of the Poaceae family, as well as the sedges and the rushes . The true grasses include cereals, bamboo and the grasses of lawns ...
which grows in arid regions and has awl-shaped, pointed leaves. The leaf tips (high in silica) can break off in the skin, leading to infections.
Spinifex has traditionally had many uses for Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines
Australian Aborigines , also called Aboriginal Australians, from the latin ab originem , are people who are indigenous to most of the Australian continentthat is, to mainland Australia and the island of Tasmania...
. The seeds were collected and ground to make seedcakes. Spinifex resin
Spinifex resin
Spinifex resin refers to the gum traditionally made by Australian Aborigines by burning the Spinifex plant and extracting its resin.-Making the gum:...
was an important adhesive used in spear-making. Smoke signal
Smoke signal
The smoke signal is one of the oldest forms of communication in recorded history. It is a form of visual communication used over long distance.-History and usage:...
s were made to communicate with families and groups a long distance away, as burning spinifex produces a strong black smoke.
The species Triodia wiseana is used for building shelters; bunched together it is used for trapping fish against creek beds. It is called Baru in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people, the English term is Hard Spinifex.