spear grass

American  

noun

1. any of various grasses, as a meadow grass or a bent grass, having lance-shaped leaves or floral spikes.

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spear grass British  

noun

1. another name for wild Spaniard

2. any of various native Australian grasses, esp of the genera Stipa or Heteropogon , with sharp-pointed seeds

3. any of various grasses with sharp stiff blades or seeds

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Etymology

Origin of spear grass

First recorded in 1540–50

Example Sentences

The same strip of soft sandy flat about half-a-mile wide continued, but better grassed, although the spear grass was far too common.

From Narrative of the Overland Expedition of the Messrs. Jardine from Rockhampton to Cape York, Northern Queensland by Byerley, Frederick, J.

Amongst the ranges we found kangaroo grass as high as our shoulders, and on the plains the spear grass up to our knees.

From Successful Exploration Through the Interior of Australia by Wills, William John

And away we galloped again, until I had scarcely a rag an inch square on my back, or anywhere else, and my skin was tom in pieces by the prickly bushes and spear grass.

From Tom Cringle's Log by Scott, Michael

The earth elves were on foot, in green suits, with acorn cups for helmets and spear grass for lances.

From Lulu's Library, Volume II by Alcott, Louisa May

This is the spear grass of the Anglo-Indians.

From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.