Spinifex is either of two kinds of grasses that grow in dry, sandy areas, chiefly in eastern Asia, Australia, and New Zealand. Grasses of the larger group, called porcupine grasses, cover huge areas of the dry interior of Australia. Those of the smaller group, called silvery-sand grasses or spiny-rolling grasses, are important plants whose roots help hold sandy soil in place. The spiny flower heads break off from the parent plant, and the wind blows them about.
