Esparto grass is a deciduous to evergreen perennial plant in the grass (Poaceae) family that is native to Western and Central Mediterranean countries. It is found growing in semiarid zones in dry alkaline rocky soils in clumps up to 3.5 ft tall. The species epithet is Latin for "very tenacious." The long linear leaves are gray-green and stiff up to 2 feet long. The flower spikes are formed on stiff upright stems. This plant needs rocky or sandy alkaline soil poor in nutrients and full sun. It can be used for erosion control on slopes, in naturalized areas or the back of a low-maintenance garden. It is drought and salt tolerant. This grass is generally not available for sale in the USA. See native grasses to the left. The leaves are rich in cellulose making them useful for cordage, crafts and paper making. It is being investigated for possible medicinal uses. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems. Spreads by rhizomes and seeds. It has the potential for becoming invasive in non-native habitats such as the southwest USA.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Alkaline (>8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 6 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Clumping
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf shape
Linear
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, < 1 inch wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Linear, grey-green leaves up to 2 feet long
Fall color
Brown/Copper
Flower color
Brown/Copper; Gray/Silver
Flower form
Panicle; Spike
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Silvery-brown flower spikelets have several long hairs and are surrounded by a long bract with a sharp point. Flowers appear in late spring to early summer.