spinifex

noun

spi·ni·fex ˈspī-nə-ˌfeks

: any of several Australian grasses (genera Spinifex and Triodia) with spiny seeds or stiff sharp leaves

Examples of spinifex in a Sentence

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The elusive species creates tunnels and nests in dense spinifex bushes and emerges at night to forage for seeds. —

Margherita Bassi, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Sep. 2024 The spinifex hopping mouse’s record-holding pee reaches concentrations over 9,000 milliosmoles per kilogram of water — that’s 10 times greater than what’s typical for humans. —

Jason P. Dinh, Discover Magazine, 20 Sep. 2022 Komatiite lava from the Komati River Valley in South Africa, showing the spinifex texture typical for these lavas. —

Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 24 Oct. 2016 During rare years with sustained downpours, moist swales are carpeted with spiky spinifex grasses that take on the appearance of fields of golden wheat. —

John Pickrell, Science | AAAS, 11 Aug. 2017