The Collaborative International Dictionary
Stipa tenacissima
Sparterie \Spar"ter*ie\, n. [F., from Sp. esparto esparto, L.
spartum, Gr. ?.]
Articles made of the blades or fiber of the Lygeum Spartum
and Stipa tenacissima (syn. Macrochloa tenacissima),
kinds of grass used in Spain and other countries for making
ropes, mats, baskets, nets, and mattresses.
--Loudon.
Wikipedia
Stipa tenacissima
''Stipa tenacissima'', (esparto, esparto grass, halfah grass or needles grass) is a perennial grass of northwestern Africa and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.