Collecting and Planting
Collect the seeds from the sand dunes during summer and direct hand plant along the foreshore eroded areas of the beach. Storing some seeds for planting end of summer - better results with germination. Reefcare volunteers have successfully revegetated using this method in the hind dunes behind Long Reef. This is a highly successful program in saving sand dunes and beaches from severe storm erosion. It is a nice easy and most effective means of preserving our beaches and sand dunes.
Description
Stout perennial grass with branched stolons and rhizomes that can cover several metres. Leaves are grey-green covered with dense hairs. Male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Male flowers (photo on right) are yellow-brown inflorescences on erect stems. Female flowers are grey-green, to 20 cm diam. with long narrow spines that contain the fertile seed at the base. These detach from the plant and disperse by rolling along and then becoming covered.
Coastal Buffer
Because of the high tolerance to salt water, Spinifex grows down to the toe of dunes and helps build up the dune front. The upright leafy shoots reduce surface wind velocity in sand deposition burying the leaves and stems.
Propagation and Planting
Reefcare volunteers have found that direct planting of the seeds or runners (left) is possible but results are not good, as they take time to germinate and grow – the next King Tide may come along before they are established. The better option is to collect the seeds and propagate them at home or in a nursery. Cuttings propagated in a nursery have an established root system and is the most successful method of replanting. Within months of planting they are off running down the beach.
