Introduction to Lygeum spartum: an essential grass in arid ecosystems
lygeum spartum, commonly known as saddlery, is a perennial, rhizomatous grass belonging to the family poaceaeIts presence is essential in the arid and semi-arid ecosystems of the Mediterranean basin, where it performs crucial ecological functions such as erosion control and soil protection. This species stands out not only for its resistance and hardiness, but also for its multiple traditional and industrial uses throughout history.
The albardín has often been associated or even confused with esparto grass (very tenacious stipa), another Mediterranean grass of great importance. However, lygeum spartum It is distinguished by both its morphology and its adaptation to extreme conditions of drought, salinity, and nutrient-poor soils. Below, we detail its botanical characteristics, habitat, ecology, uses, cultivation, and interesting facts.
Taxonomy and etymology of Lygeum spartum
lygeum spartum belongs to the grass family (poaceae), within the genre Lygeum, which is monotypic (containing a single species) and falls within the Lygeeae tribe. The complete taxonomic classification is as follows:
- Kingdom: Plant
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: liliopsid
- Order: poales
- Family: poaceae
- Subfamily: pooideae
- Tribe: Lygeeae
- Gender: Lygeum
- Species: lygeum spartum
Name Lygeum It comes from the Latin league, which means 'to bind' or 'to tie', referring to the flexibility of its leaves, which have traditionally been used to make ropes. The epithet spartum derives from Greek Spartan (esparto), due to the morphological similarity and uses with true esparto.
Among its scientific synonyms are: Lygeum tenax, Lygeum spathaceum, Lygeum murcicum, Lygeum loscosii, Lygeum insulare, Lygeum apiculatum y Lygeum spartum var. longispathumIn different regions it is also known as coarse esparto, female esparto, atochín, barrón o esparto grass border, and in Valencian language as esparto border o albardí esparto.
Morphological description of Lygeum spartum
lygeum spartum is a perennial herb which can reach a height of up to one meter, although in less favorable conditions it can remain in more modest dimensions, between 40 and 70 cm. It has a system of short, scaly rhizomes, which gives it a great capacity for regeneration and expansion in difficult habitats.
The plant's size is graminoid or rush-shapedThe stems grow in thick bunches or clumps, covered at the base with scales. The plant's color varies from yellowish green to whitish, depending on the season and water availability.
The leaves They are long (up to 50 cm), rigid, and typically present rolled up on themselves (convoluted), which drastically reduces transpiration and water loss. They are uncinate (hook-shaped), hard and tough, with a tapered, filiform apex, and a membranous, ebracteate ligule. This unique morphology enables it to survive prolonged periods of drought and extreme temperatures.
The inflorescence, very characteristic, consists of a solitary fertile ear of corn Surrounded by a lanceolate, chartaceous spathe, between 3 and 9 cm long, which gives the plant an unmistakable ornamental appearance. The spikelets, with two (or sometimes three) fertile flowers, lack a rachilla extension and can measure up to 45 mm. Glumes are absent or extremely dark. The lemma is ovate and leathery, with a hairy surface and margins fused with those of the opposite flowers, forming an urn. The long (up to 10 mm), silky hairs cover these parts, giving them the name "albardín silk"; these hairs were historically valued in hat making.
Flowering usually occurs between spring and early summer (March to June in the Northern Hemisphere). The fruit is a oblong caryopsis between 8 and 9 mm in length, and seed dispersal occurs mainly by anemocory (wind), thanks to the presence of trichomes that increase the efficiency of dispersal.
Genetic diversity and cytology
lygeum spartum has a chromosome number of 2n=40This cytogenetic information has been important for differentiating the species from other morphologically similar grasses and for studying its adaptation to extreme environments. The genetic variability of its populations has allowed it to colonize habitats with highly diverse soil and climatic conditions throughout the Mediterranean.
Habitat, ecology and geographical distribution
El saddlery It is a plant characteristic of the arid and semi-arid steppes of the Mediterranean. Its natural habitat is the poor soils, with a preference for clayey, marly, gypsum-rich, and occasionally slightly saline soils. These soils are often exposed to long seasonal droughts, low fertility, and strong sunlight; conditions in which few species can thrive.
It is found along the Mediterranean coast, with a distribution that covers the east and south of the Iberian Peninsula (especially in the Ebro Valley and the Balearic Islands), as well as North Africa (from Morocco to Egypt), southern Italy (including Sicily and Sardinia) and some Greek islands such as Crete. In Spain it is representative of plant communities known as albardinales and in steppe areas such as La Mancha or the Guadalquivir River Valley.
The plant can grow from sea level to altitudes of nearly 1.000 meters. It can withstand extreme low temperatures (around -18°C) and drought periods of up to seven months. In terms of humidity, it thrives in dry environments (indicating moderate dryness), but also tolerates soils with slight, temporary hydromorphism.
In the phytosociological environment, lygeum spartum It is considered a differential species within the alliance Agropyro pectinati-Lygeion sparti (class Lygeo-Stipetea), forming communities dominated by compact clay soils with vertic properties. It shares its habitat with species such as atriplex halimus, Capparis spinosa, Anthyllis cytisoides y Genista umbellata.
In addition to its ecological importance in steppe vegetation, the albardín also appears on roadsides, slopes, salt marshes, and semi-arid meadows. Its resistance to salinity, nutrient deprivation, and soil compaction makes it a pioneer species in landscape restoration processes.
Ecological importance and role in environmental restoration
The ecological function of lygeum spartum is multiple. Its dense rhizomatous root system fixes the soil and contributes significantly to erosion control, which is essential for stabilizing slopes and hillsides. Furthermore, this plant protects the substrate from the loss of nutrients and organic matter, helping to preserve steppe landscapes.
For these reasons, the albardín has gained great interest in projects of landscape restoration and sustainable gardens, especially in regions where soil degradation, desertification and biodiversity loss are a concern.
Under natural conditions, lygeum spartum It is able to coexist with prolonged periods without rain, minimizing its water consumption and showing outstanding hardiness in both water and thermal stress situations, as well as in the face of salinity and poor soils.
Ecological and disturbance indicators
Various ecological studies have highlighted lygeum spartum as a soil indicator species:
- Dry or moderately dry, with variable pH, although usually tending towards acidity or neutrality.
- With low levels of nitrogen and organic matter.
- High levels of salinity, although it tolerates calcareous, gypsum and somewhat saline soils.
It readily resists herbivore pressure (particularly from sheep and goats) and is relatively unsusceptible to pests and diseases, providing grazing resources in areas where other plants do not thrive. Pressure from mowing, grazing, and surface soil disturbance is generally low, and the plant persists even under extensive management and minimal human intervention.
Ornamental and sustainable gardening features
El saddlery has been highlighted in the xeriscape and sustainable gardening Low maintenance. Its rustic appearance, dense clumps, and the ornamental effect of its inflorescences make it ideal for:
- Rockeries and gravel gardens.
- Difficult soils or borders in Mediterranean gardens.
- Floor coverings in areas where frequent watering is not recommended.
- Green corridors, hedgerows and biological control for conservation.
In gardening, it is very drought-resistant and requires little intervention. Annual pruning is enough to renew the above-ground part of the plant, which remains persistent for many years. Its anchoring ability, rapid growth after establishment, and overall hardiness reduce the need for fertilization or phytosanitary treatments.
Traditional and industrial uses of Lygeum spartum
Throughout history, the saddlery It has been widely used, especially in rural areas of the Mediterranean basin, where it was used in traditional industries and daily tasks. Some of its main uses have been:
- Manufacture of ropes and cords: By braiding its rigid and tenacious leaves, "fencejos" or swifts were made, coarse ropes used to tie bundles or packages.
- Mattresses and cotsThe dried and crushed leaves were used to fill rustic mattresses and cots, formerly used by soldiers and peasants.
- Packaging and protection of goodsIn places like Níjar (Almería) or Murcia, the flexible leaves of the albardín were used to protect ceramics, fruits (such as melons) and other fragile products during transport.
- Raw material for paper and textile fibers: Its fiber, although inferior to that of esparto, was used for the manufacture of resistant paper and, more rarely, fabrics.
- Basketry and crafts:Albardín has also been used in the manufacture of mats, baskets and woven objects, replacing or complementing esparto grass in areas where it is scarce.
- Pasture for cattle: Especially sheep and goats, in dryland areas and marginal grasslands.
- Hat making: The "albardín silk" (silky hairs of the bracts) was valuable in artisanal hat making.
The industrial use of albardín declined with the appearance of synthetic materials and the development of intensive agriculture, although it still survives in certain artisanal trades and in small rural areas committed to ethnographic conservation.
Cultivation, propagation and management of Lygeum spartum
The cultivation of albardín is undemanding and has been consolidated mainly in nurseries and companies dedicated to ecological and landscape restoration. Its qualities as a protective and soil-stabilizing plant.
Propagation can be:
- By seedSeeds are collected in late summer or early autumn, once they have matured. They are sown in forestry alveolar trays, using a light, well-drained substrate with little fertilizer. Germination is done outdoors to obtain strong seedlings with a healthy root system.
- By division of clumps or rhizomes: Suitable option for large restoration projects where a faster response is sought.
Plants lygeum spartum They can be transplanted directly to their final location when they reach 25-30 cm in height. They are usually sold in forestry trays, with recommended planting densities of 6 to 8 plants per m² to achieve effective coverage.
During the first year, it's best to water occasionally until the root system is fully established. After that, the plant can thrive without additional watering, even during periods of extreme drought.
Soil and environmental requirements for cultivation
The albardín tolerates a wide range of soil conditions:
- Preference for limestone, gypsum and clay soils, although it thrives in almost any substrate as long as it has good drainage.
- It tolerates poor, infertile soils with little organic matter.
- It resists salinity and moderate soil compaction well.
- It needs full sun exposure, although it can survive in semi-shade.
- It accepts very low and high temperatures, characteristic of extreme Mediterranean climates.
Soil pH is not a limiting factor, and it can grow in neutral or slightly acidic environments. In gardening, it does not require frequent fertilization or special phytosanitary treatments, although a small amount of organic matter can stimulate initial growth in severely degraded soils.
Curiosities and ethnobotanical aspects of the albardín
El saddlery It presents interesting curiosities from both the botanical and ethnographic point of view:
- Historically, in some regions of Los Monegros, a decoction of the plant, sometimes mixed with senna leaves, was used as an abortifacient, although it has been discouraged due to its possible toxic properties.
- The silky hairs of the bracts, called "albardín silk", have been used in the artisanal manufacture of hats.
- The fiber of its paper was prized for high-quality color printing, due to its resistance to water and wear.
- Occasionally, albardín is grown as an ornamental plant in low-maintenance gardens, rockeries, and urban ecological restorations.
- In toponymy, it gave rise to place names such as "El Albardinal" in several regions.
Its ability to colonize degraded land has led to its use as a pioneer species in revegetation projects, helping to restore the biodiversity and functionality of soils seriously affected by desertification.
Differences with true esparto grass (Stipa tenacissima)
Although in many areas it is confused with esparto (very tenacious stipa), there are notable differences between both species. The esparto It usually offers fibers of higher industrial quality and tends to predominate in large areas of dry Iberian land, while lygeum spartum has specialized in even poorer and more saline soils.
The inflorescences also vary: the albardín (a type of grass) displays a single fertile spike wrapped in a membranous spathe, while the esparto grass forms dense terminal tufts of multiple spikes. The leaves of the albardín, rolled around themselves, allow for greater efficiency in water conservation.
Glossary of associated botanical terms
- Anther: Part of the stamen that contains the pollen.
- Convolute: Leaves rolled into a tube.
- Spathe: Broad bract that surrounds the inflorescence.
- Spikelet: Basic inflorescence of grasses, formed by a short axis with flowers and bracts.
- Motto: Lower glulum of grass spikelets.
- Rhizome: Horizontal underground stem capable of generating leaves, flowers and roots.
- Urceolate: Organ shaped like a pot or urn.
Bibliographic and scientific references
- «Iberian Flora. Vol. XIX (I), Gramineae (partim)», CSIC.
- Midolo G. et al., “Disturbance indicator values for European plants”, Global Ecology and Biogeography.
- Tichý L. et al., “Ellenberg-type indicator values for European vascular plant species”, Journal of Vegetation Science.
- Chytrý M. et al., “EUNIS Habitat Classification: expert system, characteristic species combinations and distribution maps of European habitats”, Applied Vegetation Science.
- Lososová Z. et al., “Seed dispersal distance classes and dispersal modes for the European flora”, Global Ecology and Biogeography.
El lygeum spartum o saddlery It represents a key element in the restoration of arid ecosystems and the conservation of Mediterranean plant heritage. Its uniqueness, rusticity, and ethnobotanical richness justify its preservation and appreciation in both the natural landscape and contemporary gardening.
