roly-poly grass

Dictionary of Australasian Words Phrases and Usages by Edward E. Morris

or Roley-poley, n.


name given to Panicum macractinium, Benth., N.O. Gramineae; and also to Salsola Kali,Linn., N.O. Salsolaceae. See Grass.

1859. D. Bunce, `Travels with Dr. Leichhardt in Australia,'pp. 167-8:

«Very common to these plains, was a large-growing salsolaceous plant, belonging to the Chenopodeaceae, of Jussieu. These weeds grow in theform of a large ball. . . . No sooner were a few of theseballs (or, as we were in the habit of calling them,`rolly-poleys') taken up with the current of air, than themules began to kick and buck. . . .»

1865. Rev. J. E. Tenison-Woods, `History of the Discoveryand Exploration of Australia,' vol. ii. p. 468:

«A salsolaceous plant growing in the form of a ball severalfeet high. In the dry season it withers, and is easily brokenoff and rolled about by the winds, whence it is calledroley-poly by the settlers.»

1889. J. H. Maiden, `Useful Native Plants,' p. 100:

«Roly-Poly Grass. This species produces immense dry andspreading panicles; it is perennial, and seeds in November andDecember. It is a somewhat straggling species, growing indetached tufts, on sand-hills and sandy soil, and much relishedby stock.»

1896. Baldwin Spencer, `Horne Expedition in CentralAustralia,' Narrative, p. 13:

«On the loamy flats, and even gibber plains, the mostnoticeable plant is Salsola kali, popularly known as theRolly-polly. It is, when mature, one of the characteristicallyprickly plants of the Lower Steppes, and forms great sphericalmasses perhaps a yard or more in diameter.»

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