Triodia

Triodia is a large genus of grass endemic to Australia. They are often called spinifex, but they are not a part of the genus Spinifex, which is only found near the coast. There are 64 known species.^[1] Triodia is a perennial grass that grows in dry areas. They have spikey, pointed leaves, about 30-40 centimetres long.

Triodia
Triodia pungens (green) and Triodia basedowii (blue-grey)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Genus:	Triodia R. Br.
Species
64 species

The leaf tips can break off in people's skin, causing infections. Spinifex has been used by Australian Aborigines in many things. The seeds are collected for food. Spinifex resin is used as a glue in spear-making. The grasses were also burned to make smoke signals, to communicate with groups a long way away. Some species are used for building shelters. Others are used to make traps for catching fish.^[2]

Notes

1. Lazarides, 1997
2. Burndud (1990). Wanggalili; Yinjibarndi and Ngarluma Plants. Juluwarlu Aboriginal Corporation. p. 17.

References

• Lazarides, M. (1997). "A revision of Triodia including Plectrachne (Poaceae, Eragrostideae, Triodiinae)." Australian Systematic Botany 10: 381-489.
• Watson, L., and Dallwitz, M.J. 1992 onwards. The grass genera of the world: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval; including synonyms, morphology, anatomy, physiology, phytochemistry, cytology, classification, pathogens, world and local distribution, and references. Version: 28 November 2005

Other websites

• Media related to Triodia at Wikimedia Commons
• Macquarie University's "Hummock Grasslands in Australia"