Scientific Name: Spinifex sericeus

Common Name: beach spinifex

Family Classification (Clade): Monocots

Family: Poaceae

Form Description: Creeping silvery perennial growing in coastal sands.

Flowers: Separate male and female plants. Female flower a 30cm diameter porcupine like sphere.

Fruit: Caryopsis

Municipality
Break O’DayBurnieCentral CoastCircular HeadDevonportDorsetFlindersGeorge TownGlamorgan-Spring BayHobartHuon ValleyKing IslandKingboroughLatrobeSorellTasmanWaratah-WynyardWest CoastWest Tamar
Plant Communities
Coastal Vegetation
Habitat Notes

Frontline coastal and estuarine sands on King Island, Furneaux Group, north-west, north-east and east coast.

Soil Tolerance

Sandy

Frost Tolerance

Tender

General Notes

Useful for binding sand dunes.

Propagation Calendar

  • Flowering Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Seed Collecting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Sowing Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
  • Cutting Month
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Propagation Method
Seed, Cuttings

Seed Information

Seed Collection

Contained in large, roundish seed heads. Collect whole seed head from mid-Nov to early May. Spinifex are variable in seed set.

Seed Treatment Notes

Erratic germination. Cover seed trays or sow seed fairly deeply, tail up at 2-3cm deep, as light inhibits germination.

Germination Time

2-6 weeks

Cutting & Division Information

Grows from cuttings of long runners