Skip to main content

Service Notice

The Western Australian Herbarium’s collections management system and census were set to read-only mode on 1 October 2025. Taxonomic updates published since this time are not being reflected in Florabase, herbarium collections, or Western Australia’s taxonomic names census (Nomos). Conservation listings displayed on Florabase may also be out of date. Please refer to DBCA’s Threatened species and communities webpage for the most recent Threatened and Priority Flora List, noting that recent taxonomic updates are similarly not included. Our database migration is moving to a staging phase. We thank you for your patience as we ensure the integrity of our biodiversity data, develop new workflows, and train staff to use the new systems. Please reach out to us if you have any questions or concerns.

The notice period started at 12:00 pm on Wednesday, 1 October 2025 +08:00 and will end at 12:00 pm on Friday, 1 January 2027 +08:00.

Advanced Search

Spinifex sericeus R.Br.

Reference
Prodr. 198 (1810)
Conservation Code
Not threatened
Naturalised Status
Alien to Western Australia
Name Status
Current

Rhizomatous, tussock-forming perennial, grass-like or herb, 0.3-0.6 m high. Coastal sand dunes.

Grazyna Paczkowska, Descriptive Catalogue, 17 December 1993

Distribution

IBRA Regions
Swan Coastal Plain.
IBRA Subregions
Perth.
IMCRA Regions
WA South Coast.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Busselton, Cambridge, Denmark, Harvey.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Beach spinifex, hairy spinifex.

General Biology. Growth form. Grass. Life form. Perennial, stoloniferous. Reproduction. Stolons, occasionally seed. Dispersal. Wind. Photosynthetic Pathway. C4. Fire response. Resprouts.

Notes. Occurs on the south-western and eastern coastline of Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia. Usually found on foredunes where it is primary binder and coloniser. Typically shows less vigour in the more stabilised section of the dunes compared to active foredunes. Seedling emergence occurs mainly on the foredunes as areas of active sand accretion and burial are necessary for germination. Seedling survival is generally low due to sand erosion, desposition and dessication.

Additional information. Origin. Eastern Australia. History of use/introduction. Beach rehabilitation. Similar native species. Spinifex hirsutus.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Comments
Flowering Y                   Y Y  
Active Growth Y Y             Y Y Y Y  
Germination O O             Y Y Y    
Fruiting O O                 O O  

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

 

References

  • Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
  • Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
  • Maze, K.M. & Whalley, R.D.B. (1990) Sex ratios and related characteristics in Spinifex sericeus (Poaceae). Australian Journal of Botany, 38: 153-160.
  • Maze, K.M. & Whalley, R.D.B. (1992) Germination, seedling occurrence and seedling survival of Spinifex sericeus R.Br. (Poaceae). Australian Journal of Ecology, 17: 189-194.
  • Maze, K.M. & Whalley, R.D.B. (1992) Effects of salt spray and sand burial on Spinifex sericeus R. Br. Australian Journal of Ecology, 17: 9-19.