Ampelodesmos mauritanicus
(Poir.) T.Durand & Schinz
Poaceae
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:
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
| Habit | Evergreen Perennial |
| Height | 3.00 m |
| Pollinators | Wind |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
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.
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Temperate Plants Database 2016 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
