Triodia (plant)
Triodia is a large genus of hummock grass endemic to Australia. The species of this genus are known by the common name spinifex, although they are not a part of the coastal genus Spinifex. Many soft-leaved Triodia species were formerly included in the genus Plectrachne. Triodia is known as tjanpi in central Australia, and have several traditional uses amongst the Aboriginal Australian peoples of the region.
A multiaccess key is available as a free application for identifying the Triodia of the Pilbara.
Description
Triodia species are perennial Australian hummock grasses that grow in arid regions. Their leaves are subulate. The leaf tips, which are high in silica, can break off in the skin, leading to infections.Uses
Spinifex has had many traditional uses for Aboriginal Australians. Several species were used extensively as materials for basket weaving. The seeds were collected and ground to make seedcakes. Spinifex resin was an important adhesive used in spear-making. Burning spinifex produces a strong black smoke, and smoke signals made in this way were an effective means of communication with families and groups over substantial distances.The species Triodia wiseana is used for building shelters; bunched together it is used for trapping fish against creek beds. It is called baru in the languages of the Yindjibarndi and Ngarluma people; the English term is hard spinifex.
Triodia nanofibres have been used to reinforce rubber and latex products. As of 2023, a Brisbane-based company has raised funds to develop medical gels from spinifex resin.
Species
Species currently include:Triodia acutispicula LazaridesTriodia aeria LazaridesTriodia angusta (Burbidge, N.T)Triodia aristiglumis LazaridesTriodia aurita LazaridesTriodia barbata R.L.Barrett & M.D.BarrettTriodia basedowii E.Pritz. – buck spinifexTriodia biflora LazaridesTriodia bitextura LazaridesTriodia brizoides Triodia bromoides LazaridesTriodia bunglensis LazaridesTriodia bunicola Lazarides – southern porcupine grassTriodia burbidgeana S.W.L.JacobsTriodia bynoei LazaridesTriodia caelestialis G.Armstr.Triodia claytonii LazaridesTriodia compacta S.W.L.JacobsTriodia concinna Triodia contorta LazaridesTriodia cremmophila R.L.Barrett & M.D.BarrettTriodia cunninghamii Benth.Triodia danthonioides LazaridesTriodia desertorum LazaridesTriodia dielsii LazaridesTriodia epactia S.W.L.JacobsTriodia fissura Barrett, Wells & DixonTriodia fitzgeraldii C.A.Gardner ex N.T.Burb.Triodia helmsii LazaridesTriodia hubbardii Triodia inaequiloba Triodia integra LazaridesTriodia intermedia Cheel – winged spinifexTriodia inutilis Triodia irritans R.Br. – porcupine grassTriodia lanata J.M.BlackTriodia lanigera DominTriodia latzii LazaridesTriodia longiceps J.M.BlackTriodia longiloba LazaridesTriodia longipalea LazaridesTriodia marginata Triodia melvillei LazaridesTriodia microstachya R.Br.Triodia mitchellii Benth. – buck spinifexTriodia molesta – porcupine grassTriodia pascoeana B.K.SimonTriodia plectrachnoides Triodia plurinervata Triodia procera R.Br.Triodia prona LazaridesTriodia pungens R.Br. – gummy spinifexTriodia racemigera C.A.GardnerTriodia radonensis S.W.L.JacobsTriodia rigidissima LazaridesTriodia roscida Triodia salina LazaridesTriodia scariosa – porcupine grassTriodia schinzii LazaridesTriodia scintillans & M.D.Barrett 2017Triodia secunda Triodia spicata Triodia stenostachya DominTriodia stipoides Triodia tomentosa S.W.L.JacobsTriodia triaristata LazaridesTriodia triticoides C.A.GardnerTriodia uniaristata LazaridesTriodia vella LazaridesTriodia wiseana C.A.Gardner