spinifex
Spiny Australian plant
Spinifex is a genus of spiny, drought-resistant grasses native to Australia, dominating arid inland regions.
The tough, hummock-forming plants are iconic features of the Australian outback: The landscape was nothing but red dirt and spinifex as far as the eye could see.
Aboriginal Australians traditionally used spinifex resin as an adhesive.
Devoid of water
- hummockLow earthen mound
- duneWind-formed sand ridge
- desertTo leave behind completely
- outbackRemote interior wilderness
red earth · gibber · mallee · claypan · ephemeral · waterhole · semi-arid · inland
Having sharp projections
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- needle-likeThin and sharply pointed
- bristlyCovered with stiff hairs
coarse · stiff · pointed · wiry · rigid · abrasive · scratchy · tough
Clump of coarse grass
- resinousContaining plant sap
- clumpThick gathered mass
- perennialRecurring each year
- C4Moldable military explosive
photosynthesis · seed · germination · rhizome · culm · inflorescence · xerophyte · endemic
Traditional remedies from plants
- resinViscous plant secretion
- toolmakingCreating implements for work
- DreamtimeAboriginal mythological creation era
- cultural landscapeEnvironment shaped by society
Able to endure difficulty
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- survivorOne still alive after
- adaptedMade fit for purpose
persistent · enduring · long-lived · robust · regenerative · fire-adapted · deep-rooted · opportunistic
arid
Devoid of water
outback · red earth · gibber · mallee · claypan · ephemeral · waterhole · semi-arid · inland · rangeland
spiky
Having sharp projections
- pricklySpiny or irritable
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- needle-likeThin and sharply pointed
bristly · coarse · stiff · pointed · wiry · rigid · abrasive · scratchy · tough · barbed
tussock
Clump of coarse grass
C4 · photosynthesis · seed · germination · rhizome · culm · inflorescence · xerophyte · endemic · dryland
bush medicine
Traditional remedies from plants
- resinViscous plant secretion
- toolmakingCreating implements for work
- DreamtimeAboriginal mythological creation era
cultural landscape · Kimberley · traditional knowledge · ceremony
hardy
Able to endure difficulty
- drought-tolerantAble to withstand aridity
- tenaciousStubbornly determined to continue
- survivorOne still alive after
adapted · persistent · enduring · long-lived · robust · regenerative · fire-adapted · deep-rooted · opportunistic
biodiversity
Range of life forms
- habitatOrganism's natural environment
- ecosystemInterconnected organisms and surroundings
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
skink · dragon · marsupial · bilby · mala · termite · invertebrate · refugia · ground cover · wildlife corridor
spinifexmeadow grass
Grass in open fields
soft grass · lawn grass · fescue · bluegrass · buffalo grass
spinifexmeadow
Grassy field for grazing
pasture · lawn · English garden · paddock · pastoral landscape