Triodia pungens

Triodia pungens
Triodia pungens (green) and Triodia basedowii (blue-grey)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Poales
Family:	Poaceae
Subfamily:	Chloridoideae
Genus:	Triodia
Species:	T. pungens
Binomial name
Triodia pungens R.Br. 1810

Triodia pungens, commonly known as soft spinifex, is a species of grass native to northwestern Australia. ^[1] The plant is currently being researched due to its resinous properties as a Termite timber coating. ^[2] Other research and applications are as a latex enhancer and bitumen adhesive. ^[3]

In its natural habitat, the Spinifex is used by local Indigenous people as a weapon and housing adhesive.

Originally described by botanist Robert Brown in his 1810 work Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae , ^[4] Triodia pungens still bears its original binomial name.

References

1. "Triodia pungens". FloraBase . Western Australian Government Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.
2. Amiralian, Nasim; Annamalai, Pratheep K.; Fitzgerald, Chris; Memmott, Paul; Martin, Darren J. (2014-08-01). "Optimisation of resin extraction from an Australian arid grass 'Triodia pungens' and its preliminary evaluation as an anti-termite timber coating" . Industrial Crops and Products. 59: 241–247. doi:10.1016/j.indcrop.2014.04.045. ISSN   0926-6690.
3. Amiralian, Nasim; Annamalai, Pratheep K.; Memmott, Paul; Martin, Darren J. (2015). "Isolation of cellulose nanofibrils from Triodia pungens via different mechanical methods". Cellulose. 22. Springer: 2483–2498. doi:10.1007/s10570-015-0688-x . Retrieved 31 August 2025.
4. Brown, Robert (1810). Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van Diemen (in Latin). London, United Kingdom: Richard Taylor and Company. p. 182.