Triodia pungens
R. Br.
Soft spinifex, Gummy Spinifex
no rights reserved, uploaded by Richard Fuller
(c) Russell Cumming, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
What to Eat
Edible parts: Stalks, Cereal
The seeds are ground to make damper (a traditional bread).
Where to Find It
A tropical plant. It grows on a wide range of soils. It grows in the tropics and subtropics. It can grow in arid places.
Australia*,
How to Identify
A grass which forms loose tussocks. It keeps growing from year to year. It grows 0.3-2.3 m high. The tussocks are 2 m across. The flowering stems are 20-100 cm high. The flowers are green and purple. The seed heads are pyramid shaped.
Wikipedia
Source ↗Triodia pungens, commonly known as soft spinifex, is a species of grass native to northwestern Australia. The plant is currently being researched due to its resinous properties as a Termite timber coating. Other research and applications are as a latex enhancer and bitumen adhesive. In its natural habitat, the Spinifex is used by local Indigenous people as a weapon and housing adhesive. Originally described by botanist Robert Brown in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae, Triodia pungens still bears its original binomial name.
References (10)
- Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 15
- Hall, N. et al, 1972, The Use of Trees and Shrubs in the Dry Country of Australia, AGPS, Canberra. p 498
- Hiddins, L., 1999, Explore Wild Australia with the Bush Tucker Man. Penguin Books/ABC Books. p 163
- Kenneally, K.E., Edinger, D. C., and Willing T., 1996, Broome and Beyond, Plants and People of the Dampier Peninsula, Kimberley, Western Australia. Department of Conservation and Land Management. p 225
- Latz, P.K., 1996, Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in Central Australia. IAD Press Alice Springs p 290
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 241
- Paczkowska, G. & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Catalogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 120
- Petheram, R.J. and Kok, B., 2003, Plants of the Kimberley Region of Western Australia. UWA Press p 241
- Wheeler, J.R.(ed.), 1992, Flora of the Kimberley Region. CALM, Western Australian Herbarium, p 1234
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
