Native Grasses & Groundcovers

Beach spinifex — Spinifex sericeus

Spinifex sericeus

Shelter for wildlife Resilient garden plant

$6.00

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In stock and available to order

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Plant profile

At a glance

The essentials for finding the right garden position.

Mature size: Height: 0.3–0.6 m · Width: spreading several metres
Light: Full sun
Water: Dry
Soil: Sandy
Drainage: Free-draining
Vegetation type: Coastal
Plant lifespan: Long-lived perennial
Plant form: Grasses & Groundcovers

Plant ratings

A quick guide to this plant’s value for wildlife and the garden.

Bird food value
Pollinator value
Shelter & habitat value
Flower display
Garden resilience

About this plant

A vigorous silver-green coastal grass that sends long runners across open sand. It is one of the most important pioneer plants on active foredunes, binding loose sand while creating distinctive rolling female seed heads.

Image credits:
Mature image: Arnim Littek via Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 4.0
Feature image: Harry Rose (Macleay Grass Man) via Wikimedia Commons — CC BY 2.0

More plant details

Garden uses: Dune stabilisation, beachfront revegetation, erosion control, exposed coastal garden and educational planting.
Wildlife value: Provides structure and foraging habitat for fauna on otherwise exposed foredunes. Wind-pollinated and provides little direct nectar or pollen for animal pollinators. Spreading runners build valuable cover and stabilise exposed dune habitat.
Flowering and fruiting: Male and female flower heads occur on separate plants; mature female heads form large rounded structures that detach and roll with the wind to disperse seed.
Growth habit: Stout stoloniferous perennial grass with runners extending several metres; foliage commonly 0.3–0.6 m high.
Cautions: Strictly suited to open, mobile coastal sand and can spread widely by runners. Male and female flower heads occur on separate plants.