Order GRAMINE2F. 
Genus Spinifex. 
Sub-Order PaniceA:. 
Genus V.—SPINIFEX, Linnaeus. 
Inflorescence dioecious. Male spibelets spiked on rigid peduncles, which are collected into umbels, with 
sheathing or spathaceous leaves at their base, i or 2-flowered. Empty glumes 3. Flowering glum.e 
membranous. Stamens 3. Anthers very long. Female spikelets solitary or few, in the sheathing bases 
of very long, pungent leaves, which are extremely numerous, and collected into very large globose 
masses, 1 or 2-flowered ; 3 empty glum.es , as in the male, but larger. Flowering glume coriaceous. 
Scales 2. Grain free within the glumes and palea. Distribution of Genus : INDIA, CHINA, 
AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, PACIFIC ISLANDS, NEW ZEALAND. Etymology: From the 
Latin “ Spina,” in allusion to the termination of the rachis. 
SPINIFEX HIRSUTUS. 
SPINY ROLLING GRASS. 
(Plates Fill., IX.) 
Spinifex hirsutus, Labill. Flora, Nov. Hoik, II., 81, t. 230—231. 
Spinifex sericeus, Raoul. En. Plant. 
Spinifex inermis, Banks et Sol., M.S.S. 
Ixalum inerme, Forst., Prodr., fid. Raoul. 
Spinifex hirsutus, Labill. Hook, fil., FI. N.Z., I., 292 ; Handb. N.Z. Flora, I., 322. 
A course, rambling, much-branched, rigid, spinous, silky or woolly, perennial grass. Habitats near the 
sea on sand-hills, or saline soils more inland. Flowers January—February. Culms stout, knotted, 
creeping. Leaves 1 — 1 ^-inches long, coriaceous, lower sheaths shining, both sides of leaf silky, or 
villous. Male spikes with the rachis 1—3 inches long, numerous, peduncled, silky. Spikelets 
1— 2-flowered, shortly pedicelled, i-inch long. E?npty glumes: First and second 7-nerved, third 
5-nerved. Androus flowering glume 5-nerved. Palea 2-nerved. Scales 2, large, fleshy, with 
membranous borders, 2-nerved. Stamens 3 . Anthers long, narrow. Female spikelets 1—2-flowered 
at the membranous basis of leaves, which terminate in rigid, slender spines, 3—8 inches long. Empty 
glumes : First shortly awned, 9-nerved ; second shortly awned, 7-nerved ; third 5-nerved. Flowering 
glume 7-nerved. Palea 4-nerved. Scales 2, large, fleshy, with membranous borders, 2-lobed, and 
2- nerved. Ovary compressed. Stamens 3, abortive. Styles very short, connate at the base. Stigmas 
very long, with short simple hairs. Distribution of Species : INDIA, PACIFIC ISLANDS, 
AUSTRALIA, TASMANIA, NEW ZEALAND. 
