What is "lygeum"

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 or albardine. It is native to southern Europe and North Africa, where its distribution includes Crete, Italy, Spain, Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia. It is similar to Stipa tenacissima and both species are used to produce a fiber product known as esparto or esparto grass.