Lygeum

Lygeum
Lygeum spartum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Clade: BOP clade
Subfamily: Pooideae
Supertribe: Nardodae
Tribe: Lygeeae
J.Presl
Genus: Lygeum
Loefl. ex L.
Species:
L. spartum
Binomial name
Lygeum spartum
Synonyms
  • Linosparton Adans.
  • Sparthum Plin. ex P. Beauv. as synonym
  • Spartum Plin. ex P. Beauv., alternate spelling
  • Lygeum tenax Salisb.
  • Lygeum spathaceum Lam.
  • Lygeum apiculatum Gand.
  • Lygeum insulare Gand.
  • Lygeum loscosii Gand.
  • Lygeum murcicum Gand.
  • Lygeum spartum f. longispathum Trab.

Lygeum is a genus of Mediterranean plants in the grass family. It is placed in its own tribe Lygeeae, which is sister to Nardeae.

The only known species is Lygeum spartum, commonly called esparto grass, cord grass or albardine, which is distributed in arid areas around the Mediterranean Sea. It is similar to Stipa tenacissima and both species are used to produce a fiber product known as esparto or esparto grass.