Lygeum spartum L.

Spice Spike In the field

Family: GRAMINEAE (POACEAE)

Genus: Lygeum

Catalan common name: Espart. Espart albardí. Espart bord.

Spanish common name: Esparto.

Province distribution: Balearic Islands.

Distribution in the islands: Ibiza.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South Mediterranean

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Habitats: Rocky coastlines. Coastal zones.

Characteristics: Lygeum spartium is a kind of gramene very known in the Mediterranean because it has been very used as a source of fibre. In the Balearic Islands it is only found in a small area in the northwest of Eivissa, and has even given its name to the small island of Espartar. It forms some very dense bushes with leaves which are rigid to the touch and longitudinally curled. The most important feature to recognise it is the inflorescence which is surrounded by a kind of whitish pod which comes out of the base of the panicle. It lives in dry places and flowers in spring.