Stipa tenacissima (esparto, esparto grass, halfah grass, alfa grass, or needle grass) is a perennial grass of northwestern Africa and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.[1]
| Stipa tenacissima | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Stipa |
| Species: | S. tenacissima
|
| Binomial name | |
| Stipa tenacissima | |
| Synonyms | |
|
Macrochloa tenacissima (L.) Kunth | |
Distribution edit
Stipa tenacissima is an endemic species of the Western–Central Mediterranean countries. It grows in France (including Corsica), Spain (including the Balearic Islands), Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It grows in dry, rocky and base rich soils, forming a steppe-like grassland. It has been managed by people for centuries.[1]
Uses edit
Stipa tenacissima produces a fiber product called esparto which is used for crafts, such as cords, basketry, and espadrilles as well as for making paper.[1]
See also edit
- Lygeum spartum, another species of grass also used as esparto
References edit
- ^ a b c d Carapeto, A.; Véla, E. (2018). "Stipa tenacissima". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T57471077A125468612. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-1.RLTS.T57471077A125468612.en. Retrieved 22 August 2021.
External links edit
Media related to Stipa tenacissima at Wikimedia Commons- Stipa tenacissima Spanish information
- McQuarrie, Gavin (1995). European influence and tribal society in Tunisia during the nineteenth century: the origins and impact of the trade in esparto grass 1870–1940 (PDF) (PhD thesis). University of Durham. hdl:10068/460367.
