Science
Mysterious spinifex grass rings of the Australian outback may be caused by microbes – ABC News
Rings of spiky spinifex grass in the Australian outback have long puzzled scientists. Now they think they know why it grows in such strange shapes.
Scientists may have solved the mystery of how Australia’s spinifex grass got its hole.
Key points:
- Spinifex grass grows in rings, but scientists have been trying to find out causes this strange pattern
- New research suggests microbes in the centre impact the growth of new seedlings
- Spinifex rings are different to “fairy circles”, which are thought to be caused by termites or water availability
The iconic spiky spinifex plant provides shelter for native species in the heat of the day and is used for…
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