Spinifex

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Spinifex \Spin"i*fex\, n. [NL.; L. spina spine + facere to
     make.]
     1. (Bot.) A genus of chiefly Australian grasses, the seeds of
        which bear an elastic spine. {Spinifex hirsutus} (black
        grass) and {Spinifex longifolius} are useful as sand
        binders. {Spinifex paradoxus}is a valuable perennial


        fodder plant. Also, a plant of this genus.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
  
     2. Any of several Australian grasses of the genus
        {Tricuspis}, which often form dense, almost impassable
        growth, their leaves being stiff and sharp-pointed.
        [Webster 1913 Suppl.]