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Useful Temperate Plants

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus

(Poir.) T.Durand & Schinz

Poaceae

+ Synonyms

Ampelodesmos ampelodesmos (Cirillo) Kerguélen

Ampelodesmos bicolor (Poir.) Kunth

Ampelodesmos effusus Steud.

Ampelodesmos festucoides Steud.

Ampelodesmos tenax (Vahl) Link

Ampelodonax bicolor (Poir.) Lojac.

Arundo ampelodesmos Cirillo

Arundo bicolor Poir.

Arundo biflora Lam.

Arundo festucoides Desf.

Arundo mauritanica Poir.

Arundo tenax Vahl

Avena festucoides Desf.) Raspail

Calamagrostis bicolor J.F.Gmel.

Deyeuxia arundinacea P.Beauv.

Donax ampelodesmos Schult.

Donax bicolor (Poir.) P.Beauv.

Donax festucoides (Desf.) P.Beauv.

Donax mauritanicus (Poir.) P.Beauv.

Donax tenax (Vahl) P.Beauv.

Festuca elatior Ucria

Stipa mauritanica (Poir.) Columbus & J.P.Sm.

Common Name:

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus
Plant growing in Minorca
Photograph by: Donkey shot
Creative Commons License
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus Ampelodesmos mauritanicus Ampelodesmos mauritanicus Ampelodesmos mauritanicus Ampelodesmos mauritanicus

General Information

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus is an evergreen, perennial, clump-forming grass with short rhizomes. It produces erect culms 100 - 200cm tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of fibre for paper making etc.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

50
Title
Flora Europaea
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1964
ISBN
-
Description
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
,
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Range

Mediterranean region from Spain to Greece and from Morocco to Libya.

Habitat

Dry places, mainly near the coast[
50
Title
Flora Europaea
Publication
 
Author
?
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Year
1964
ISBN
-
Description
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for Europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.
].

Properties

HabitEvergreen Perennial
Height3.00 m
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Ampelodesmos mauritanicus is a plant of the Mediterranean region and is not tolerant of cold winters. It can tolerate temperatures falling as low as between -5 to -10°c occasionally, so long as it is in a well-drained soil[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. Plants succeed outdoors in the southwest of Britain (zone 8)[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Requires a fertile well-drained but moist soil in a sheltered sunny position[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The leaves are used to make a rope[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
] and are also used in papermaking[
103
Title
Flowering Plants of the World.
Publication
 
Author
Haywood. V. H.
Publisher
Oxford University Press
Year
 
ISBN
0-19-217674-9
Description
Very readable and well illustrated, it lists plants by families giving the basic diagnostic features and some details of plant uses.
].
Nets made from the plant are very durable if kept in water and protected from the action of the sun[
454
Title
Useful Fiber Plants of the World
Publication
 
Author
Dodge C.R.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
USDA; Washington.
Year
1897
ISBN
 
Description
A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest surface sowing the seed in a greenhouse in spring. Do not allow the compost to dry out. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse, planting them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Division in spring as the plant comes into growth. The divisions can be planted out straight into their permanent positions, though it might be safer to get them established and growing well in pots first.
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Ampelodesmos+mauritanicus>

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