Ampelodesmos is a genus of Mediterranean plants in the grass family, which is known by the common names stramma, Mauritania grass, rope grass, and dis(s) grass.Kerguélen, Michel François-Jacques 1976. Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France 123(5–6): 319 It is classified in its own tribe Ampelodesmeae within the grass subfamily Pooideae.
The genus probably originated through ancient hybrid speciation, as a cross between parents from tribes Stipeae and Phaenospermateae.
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus is a large clumping perennial bunchgrass, which is native to the Mediterranean region. It has been introduced outside its native range and is cultivated as an ornamental grass. Its nodding flower panicles can be nearly two feet long. The plant can become an Invasive species in non-native ecosystems beyond the Mediterranean Basin.Jepson Manual TreatmentUnited States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile In its native area it is used as a fiber for making mats, brooms, and twine.Food & Agriculture Organization, Corporate Document Repository, The role of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus and fibre plants in central Italy The leaves of this grass possess sharp edges and can inflict small lacerations on exposed skin.
The genus name comes from the Greek ampelos, "vine", and desmos, "bond", from its former use as a string to tie up grapevines.
SpeciesThe Plant List search for Ampelodesmos Ampelodesmos ampelodesmon (Cirillo) Kerguélen - SicilyCirillo, Domenico Maria Leone 1788. Plantarum Rariorum Regni Neapolitani 2: 30Tropicos, Arundo ampelodesmon Cirillo Ampelodesmos mauritanicus (Poir.) T.Durand & Schinz - Spain incl Balearic Is, France incl Corsica, Italy incl Sardinia + Sicily, Greece, Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Libya
formerly included see Cortaderia Ampelodesmos australis - Cortaderia pilosa
References
External links
Calphotos, University of California @ Berkeley, Photo gallery