306 USEFUL FIBER PLANTS OF THE WORLD. 



Stipa tenacissima. Esparto Grass. 



Syn. Macrochloa tenacissima. 



Endogen. Gramineas. A wild and cultivated grass. 



Native and common names. — Alfa or Haifa (Alg.); Esparto. Spanish and 

 (corumercial) English; Sparte, French. 



Native of north Africa, Spain, and Portugal, and is said to he found in Greece. A 

 plant occupying a large area in northern Africa and the southern Mediterranean 

 provinces. In Algeria, in the provinces of Oran Algiers and Constantine. In Spain 

 it covers an area of plateau land comprised within a triangle including Malaga. Va- 

 lencia, and Madrid. It is ahundant in the provinces of Mercia and Alnieira. In the 

 south of Portugal, in the Iherian peninsula. In Morocco it borders the seacoast as 

 far as Tangiers, on the high Daharian plateau which succeeds that of Oranais. This 

 cultivation has extended into south France. The plant is said to have been seen in 

 Greece, but this is contradicted by Algerian authorities. 



It thrives in varied situations in the regions where it grows, from the level of the 

 seacoast to elevations of 6,000 feet, frequently crossing the foothills, where it forms 

 their only vegetation. It is also found in deep forests, and abounds in such desert 

 regions as lie to the southeast of Laghaout and Tripoli. The plant is frequently 

 confounded with Lygeum spartum, under the name Sparte (" Sennoc" or Albardine 

 Alg.), and also with Amixlodismos tenax, or the Diss, these three species being the 

 abundant grasses of the north of Africa. Haifa or esparto is a perennial plant with 

 branching roots, which form first a homogeneous stump whieh becomes a tuft when 

 the center roots perish. The exterior branches, which also form a tuft, separate as 

 they become further removed from each other aud their center and become the 

 nucleus of new clusters, which likewise form tufts, which are hollowed out at the 

 center and send out branches, which in their turn form other tufts if the soil permit. 

 The leaf, which varies with the age and condition of the plant, is from 25 to 120 

 centimeters in length, but has a mean length of from 50 to 80 centimeters. During 

 growth it spreads out in an even, Tibbon-shaped blade. Its upper surface is relieved 

 by seven large veins, which are separated by deep furrows and entirely covered by 

 down or hair. The under surface, which, by torsional movement in the length of the 

 leaf, is turned upward, is smooth, glossy, and without salient veins. Under the 

 influence of drought the two halves of the leaf meet and form a tough, dry, and rush- 

 like blade. The point of the leaf is sharp, rough, prickly, and slightly yellow. 

 Upon healthy, strong plants, and during the wet season, the leaves are of a line 

 dark green. Under the influence of drought this green becomes canescent. The 

 leaves of the esparto are persistent, remaining at least two years upon the plant. 

 "When old they become a prey to cryptogams Disintegration commences at the 

 point of the blade and finally covers the whole. These darkened leaves cumber the 

 stalk and form a veritable gray felt, through which the young leaves emerge. Usu- 

 ally the old leaves turn yellow and are disarticulated from the sheath at the point 

 at which they join. An early attack made upon the points of the leaves by cryp- 

 togams depreciates the esparto, and it is distinguished in accordance with these 

 attacks and their effects, first, as the green point; second, sharp, dry point, pointe 

 d'ort'e (golden point) ; third, gray point and disintegrated by cryptogams. (L'Halfa. 

 Pamphlet, Paris Exp., 1889,— Extraits d'une Etude sur lllalfa. par L. Trabut. 1888.) 

 Structural Fiber. — -The fibers are extremely fine, uniform, transparent, and 

 from the purity of the cellulose the substance is admirably adapted for paper mak- 

 ing. The commercial product varies from 15 inches to 2 feet or more in length, is 

 greenish yellow in color, presenting the appearance of a smooth, stiff, tapering stem. 

 While its commercial use is in paper making, it has been employed in the countries 

 where grown for the manufacture of cordage, sandals, basket work, etc. It has also 

 been used, after crimping, as a mattress material, and it is said that the liber has 

 been employed in the Scotch carpet trade in Kidderminster and Prussels good-. 

 The chemical constituents of the liber are said to be yellow coloring matter, 12: red 

 matter, 6; gum and resin, 7; salts forming the ash, 1.5: paper stock. 7:5.5. 



