Triodia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Triodia |
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| Triodia pungens (green) and Triodia basedowii (blue-grey) | |
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Triodia
R. Br.
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64 species |
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Triodia is a special type of grass that only grows in Australia. Many people call it spinifex. However, it's important to know that Triodia is different from the Spinifex genus, which usually grows near the coast. There are 64 different kinds, or species, of Triodia grass. This tough grass is a perennial plant, meaning it lives for more than two years. It thrives in dry areas across Australia.
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What is Spinifex Grass?
Spinifex grass is known for its unique look and how it grows. It forms large, rounded clumps called hummocks. These hummocks can be quite big, sometimes several meters wide. The grass has long, thin leaves that are often spiky and pointed.
Where Does Spinifex Grow?
Spinifex is found mostly in the dry, inland parts of Australia. It covers huge areas, especially in the deserts and semi-desert regions. It's very good at surviving in places with little water and hot temperatures. You can see large fields of spinifex in places like the Great Sandy Desert and the Gibson Desert.
What Does Spinifex Look Like?
The leaves of spinifex are usually about 30 to 40 centimetres long. They are very sharp and pointed, which helps the plant protect itself. If you touch them, the tips can feel like tiny needles. The grass often has a grey-green or blue-green colour. When it's dry, it can look quite golden.
How People Use Spinifex
For thousands of years, Aboriginal people have used spinifex in many clever ways. It was a very important plant for their daily lives and survival in the harsh Australian environment.
Spinifex for Food and Tools
Aboriginal people collected the tiny seeds from some spinifex species. These seeds were ground into flour to make a type of bread. This was an important food source. Another amazing use was making Spinifex resin. This sticky, natural glue was heated and used to attach stone heads to spears. It was also used for fixing tools and making other items strong.
Spinifex for Communication and Shelter
Spinifex grass was also used for communication. People would burn the grass to create smoke signals. These signals could be seen from far away, allowing different groups to talk to each other across long distances. Some types of spinifex were used to build simple shelters. The tough, dense clumps provided protection from the sun and wind. People also used spinifex to make traps for catching fish in rivers and waterholes.
