About Spinifex hirsutus Labill.
The genus Spinifex consists of perennial coastal plants that belong to the grass family. These plants are among the most common species growing on sand dunes along the coasts of Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, and New Caledonia. The ranges of some Spinifex species extend north and west along Asian coasts as far as India and Japan. These grasses play an important role in the entire sand dune ecosystem because they help stabilize sand. Spinifex sericeus, the only Spinifex species native to New Zealand, is also found in Australia. It is confusing that the term "spinifex" is also used as a common name for grasses in the related genus Triodia. Triodia is native to inland Australia, and includes a group of spiny-leaved, tussock-forming grasses.
