spinifex

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: spin=i=fex

CIDE DICTIONARY

spinifex, n. [NL.; L. spina spine + facere to make.].

•  A genus of chiefly Australian grasses, the seeds of which bear an elastic spine. Spinifex hirsutus (black grass) and Spinifex longifolius are useful as sand binders. Spinifex paradoxusis a valuable perennial fodder plant. Also, a plant of this genus.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
•  Any of several Australian grasses of the genus Tricuspis, which often form dense, almost impassable growth, their leaves being stiff and sharp-pointed.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

spinifex, n. any Australian grass of the genus Spinifex, with coarse, spiny leaves.

Etymology

mod.L f. L spina SPINE + -fex maker f. facere make