Macrochloa tenacissima
| Macrochloa tenacissima | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Flowerhead | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Embryophytes |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Poales |
| Family: | Poaceae |
| Subfamily: | Pooideae |
| Genus: | Macrochloa |
| Species: | M. tenacissima |
| Binomial name | |
| Macrochloa tenacissima (L.) Kunth | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Macrochloa tenacissima, synonym 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] Phylogenetic and morphological evidence indicated that the species did not belong in Stipa,[3][4][5] and recent sources treat the species as Macrochloa tenacissima as a result.[2][6][7]
Distribution
Macrochloa tenacissima is native to the Iberian Peninsula, the Balearic Islands, and northwestern Africa (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya).[2] It grows in dry, sandy or rocky and base rich soils, forming a steppe-like grassland. It has been managed by people for centuries.[1]
Description
Macrochloa tenacissima is a large grass growing to 1.5–2 metres (5–7 ft) tall with stout stems. The leaves are convoluted (rolled), 30–120 centimetres (1–4 ft) long and 1 mm diameter, and with a sharp apex. The flowerheads form compact panicles 25–35 cm (9.8–13.8 in) long, with glumes 1 cm long.[8][9]
Uses
Macrochloa tenacissima produces a fibre product called esparto which is used for crafts, such as cords, basketry, and espadrilles as well as for making paper.[1]
See also
- Lygeum spartum, another species of grass also used as esparto.
References
- 1 2 3 4 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.
- 1 2 3 "Macrochloa tenacissima (L.) Kunth". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 2025-08-22..
- ↑ Vázquez, F.M.; Barkworth, M.E. (2004). "Resurrection and emendation of Macrochloa (Gramineae: Stipeae)". Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society. 144 (4): 483–495.
- ↑ Romaschenko, K.; Peterson, P.M.; Soreng, R.J.; Garcia-Jacas, N.; Susanna, A. (2010). "Phylogenetics of Stipeae (Poaceae: Pooideae) Based on Plastid and Nuclear DNA Sequences". In Seberg, Ole; Petersen, G.; Barfod, A.S.; Davis, J.I. (eds.). Diversity, phylogeny, and evolution in the monocotyledons. Aarhus Universitetsforlag. pp. 511–537.
- ↑ Romaschenko, K.; Peterson, P.M.; Soreng, R.J.; Garcia-Jacas, N.; Futorna, O.; Susanna, A. "Systematics and evolution of the needle grasses (Poaceae: Pooideae: Stipeae) based on analysis of multiple chloroplast loci, ITS, and lemma micromorphology". Taxon. 61 (1): 18–44. doi:10.1002/tax.611002. hdl:10261/72333.
- ↑ Valdés, B.; Scholz, H.; Raab-Straube, E.; Parolly, G. (2009). "Poaceae (pro parte majore)". Euro+Med PlantBase - the information resource for Euro-Mediterranean plant diversity.
- ↑ Krawczyk, K.; Mazdziarz, M.; Paukszto, Ł.; Nobis, M.; Sawicki, J. (2025). "Phylogenetic reconstruction and species delimitation in Stipeae with special reference to Stipa (Poaceae, Pooideae) using mitochondrial genomes". Cladistics. doi:10.1111/cla.12618. PMC 12267929.
- ↑ Thorogood, Chris (2016). Field guide to the wild flowers of the western Mediterranean. Richmond: Kew publishing Royal Botanic Gardens. p. 145. ISBN 978-1-84246-616-2.
- ↑ Huxley, Anthony; Griffiths, Mark; Levy, Margot (1992). The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. Vol. 4. London New York: Macmillan Stockton press. p. 382. ISBN 1-56159-001-0.
External links
Media related to Macrochloa tenacissima at Wikimedia Commons- Stipa tenacissima Spanish information Archived 2018-11-30 at the Wayback Machine
- 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.