photo: Lyn Allison

There is nothing I love more than an interesting or surprising combination of the built and the natural environment.

I saw these spinifex inflorescences blown against the blue stone wall by the northerly wind in this constellation.

It's a wonderful feature of Port Melbourne that we have such healthy coastal grasses on our foreshore. Spinifex hirsutis has many amazing properties and has been described as the 'Captain Cook' of pioneering coastal vegetation. The strong runners and roots help to bind the sand and hold it in place.

Next time you're down at the beach, have a feel of their hairy leaves and admire the strong and silent work they do on our beaches.