Triodia is a large genus of hummock grass endemic to Australia. The species of this genus are known by the common name spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex. Many soft-leaved Triodia species were formerly included in the genus Plectrachne.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 Triodia is known as tjanpi (grass) in central Australia, and have several traditional uses amongst the Aboriginal Australian peoples of the region.

A multiaccess key (SpiKey) is available as a free application for identifying the Triodia of the Pilbara (28 species and one hybrid).

Description Triodia species are perennial Australian hummock grasses that grow in arid regions. Their leaves (30–40 centimetres long) are subulate (awl-shaped, with a tapering point). The leaf tips, which are high in silica, can break off in the skin, leading to infections.

Uses Spinifex has had many traditional uses for Aboriginal Australians. Several species were (and are) used extensively as materials for basket weaving. The seeds were collected and ground to make seedcakes. Spinifex resin was an important adhesive used in spear-making. Burning spinifex produces a strong black smoke, and smoke signals made in this way were an effective means of communication with families and groups over substantial distances.

The species Triodia wiseana is used for building shelters; bunched together it is used for trapping fish against creek beds. It is called in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people; the English term is hard spinifex.

Triodia nanofibres have been used to reinforce rubber and latex products. As of 2023, a Brisbane-based company has raised funds to develop medical gels from spinifex resin.

Species Species currently include:

Triodia acutispicula Lazarides Triodia aeria Lazarides Triodia angusta (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia aristiglumis (Lazarides) Lazarides Triodia aurita Lazarides Triodia barbata R.L.Barrett & M.D.Barrett Triodia basedowii E.Pritz. – buck spinifex Triodia biflora Lazarides Triodia bitextura Lazarides Triodia brizoides (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia bromoides (F.Muell.) Lazarides Triodia bunglensis (S.W.L.Jacobs) Lazarides Triodia bunicola (S.W.L.Jacobs) Lazarides – southern porcupine grass Triodia burbidgeana S.W.L.Jacobs Triodia bynoei (C.E.Hubb.) Lazarides Triodia caelestialis G.Armstr. Triodia claytonii Lazarides Triodia compacta (Burbidge, N.T) S.W.L.Jacobs Triodia concinna (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia contorta (Lazarides) Lazarides Triodia cremmophila R.L.Barrett & M.D.Barrett Triodia cunninghamii Benth. Triodia danthonioides (F.Muell.) Lazarides Triodia desertorum (C.E.Hubb.) Lazarides Triodia dielsii (C.E.Hubb.) Lazarides Triodia epactia S.W.L.Jacobs Triodia fissura Barrett, Wells & Dixon Triodia fitzgeraldii C.A.Gardner ex N.T.Burb. Triodia helmsii (C.E.Hubb.) Lazarides Triodia hubbardii (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia inaequiloba (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia integra Lazarides Triodia intermedia Cheel – winged spinifex Triodia inutilis (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia irritans R.Br. – porcupine grass Triodia lanata J.M.Black Triodia lanigera Domin Triodia latzii Lazarides Triodia longiceps J.M.Black Triodia longiloba Lazarides Triodia longipalea Lazarides Triodia marginata (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia melvillei (C.E.Hubb.) Lazarides Triodia microstachya R.Br. Triodia mitchellii Benth. – buck spinifex Triodia molesta (Burbidge, N.T) – porcupine grass Triodia pascoeana B.K.Simon Triodia plectrachnoides (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia plurinervata (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia procera R.Br. Triodia prona Lazarides Triodia pungens R.Br. – gummy spinifex Triodia racemigera C.A.Gardner Triodia radonensis S.W.L.Jacobs Triodia rigidissima (Pilg.) Lazarides Triodia roscida (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia salina Lazarides Triodia scariosa (Burbidge, N.T) – porcupine grass Triodia schinzii (Henrard) Lazarides Triodia scintillans & M.D.Barrett 2017 Triodia secunda (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia spicata (Burbidge, N.T) Triodia stenostachya Domin Triodia stipoides Triodia tomentosa S.W.L.Jacobs Triodia triaristata Lazarides Triodia triticoides C.A.Gardner Triodia uniaristata (Lazarides) Lazarides Triodia vella Lazarides Triodia wiseana C.A.Gardner

Formerly included species Numerous species once considered members of Triodia have been reassigned to other genera, including: Chascolytrum, Danthonia, Dasyochloa, Deschampsia, Diplachne, Disakisperma, Erioneuron, Gouinia, Graphephorum, Leptocarydion, Notochloe, Plinthanthesis, Poa, Puccinellia, Rytidosperma, Scolochloa, Spartina, Torreyochloa, Trichoneura, Tridens, Triplasis, Tripogon, and Vaseyochloa.

See also Carnegie expedition of 1896 Komatiite, a rare lava rock from the Archaean Era said to have the texture of this grass Spinifex pigeon

References

External links

Macquarie University.edu: "Hummock Grasslands in Australia"