spinifex

1 9.6

A tough grass with sharp leaves that grows on sandy coasts and dry dunes

noun
/ˈspɪnɪfɛks/

Australian

: spinifex

Examples

We are amongst spinifex now, and melons, of all things.

Blog text (3)
The spinifex grass rustled softly in the warm breeze as we walked through the arid landscape.
In Australia, spinifex thrives in sandy soils, creating a habitat for various desert wildlife.
A patch of spinifex provided cover for the kangaroos as they sought shelter from the midday sun.

Synonyms

beach grass

vsspinifex

1 3.7

A tough grass with strong roots that grows on sandy shores and stops sand dunes from moving

also grows beyond coasts into dry inland areas rather than only on dunes

Elymus arenarius

vsspinifex

Specialized

9.9

A grass that grows on sandy coasts and helps keep sand from being carried away by wind or water

naturally grows across dry inland areas and coastal dunes rather than being planted

Sporobolus cryptandrus

vsspinifex

Specialized

9.9

A grass called sand dropseed that grows in sandy places like riverbanks and holds soil

is a spiny grass adapted to dry or coastal dunes rather than smooth varieties

How Spiny

cactus

69 1.8

spinifex

Australian

1 9.6

bramble

9 6.0

thistle

15 5.6

Surface Forms

spinifex singular

spinifexes plural

Etymology

Spinifex comes from the Latin root spina, meaning 'thorn' or 'spine', and is like the English word spine, which gives a clear picture of its sharp, spiky leaves. So, spinifex is a tough, spiny grass (common on sandy dunes in places like Australia) and the name helps you remember its prickly, protective nature.