Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 28, 2026

Ampelodesmos

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. It is classified in its own tribe Ampelodesmeae within the grass subfamily Pooideae.

Last revised
Jul 28, 2026
Read time
≈ 2 min
Length
468 w
Citations
14
Source
Wikipedia ↗
Mauritania grass
Ampelodesmos mauritanicus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Embryophytes
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Spermatophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Poales
Family: Poaceae
Clade: BOP clade
Subfamily: Pooideae
Supertribe: Stipodae
Tribe: Ampelodesmeae
Tutin (1978)
Genus: Ampelodesmos
Link, 18271
Type species
Ampelodesmos tenax
(synonym of A. mauritanicus)
(Vahl) Link.2
Synonyms3
  • Ampelodonax Lojac.

Ampelodesmos is a genus of Mediterranean plants in the grass family,4 which is known by the common names stramma, Mauritania grass, rope grass, and dis(s) grass.5 It is classified in its own tribe Ampelodesmeae within the grass subfamily Pooideae.6

The genus probably originated through ancient hybrid speciation, as a cross between parents from tribes Stipeae and Phaenospermateae.6

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.78 In its native area it is used as a fiber for making mats, brooms, and twine.9 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.

Species10
formerly included3

see Cortaderia

  • Ampelodesmos australis - Cortaderia pilosa
References

References

  1. Link, Johann Heinrich Friedrich 1827. Hortus Regius Botanicus Berolinensis 1: 136 in Latin
  2. Tropicos, Ampelodesmos Link
  3. Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  4. Watson L, Dallwitz MJ. (2008). "The grass genera of the world: descriptions, illustrations, identification, and information retrieval; including synonyms, morphology, anatomy, physiology, phytochemistry, cytology, classification, pathogens, world and local distribution, and references". The Grass Genera of the World. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
  5. Kerguélen, Michel François-Jacques 1976. Bulletin de la Société Botanique de France 123(5–6): 319
  6. Soreng, Robert J.; Peterson, Paul M.; Romaschenko, Konstantin; Davidse, Gerrit; Teisher, Jordan K.; Clark, Lynn G.; Barberá, Patricia; Gillespie, Lynn J.; Zuloaga, Fernando O. (2017). "A worldwide phylogenetic classification of the Poaceae (Gramineae) II: An update and a comparison of two 2015 classifications". Journal of Systematics and Evolution. 55 (4): 259–290. doi:10.1111/jse.12262. hdl:10261/240149. ISSN 1674-4918. Open access icon
  7. Jepson Manual Treatment
  8. United States Department of Agriculture Plants Profile
  9. Food & Agriculture Organization, Corporate Document Repository, The role of Ampelodesmos mauritanicus and fibre plants in central Italy
  10. The Plant List search for Ampelodesmos
  11. Cirillo, Domenico Maria Leone 1788. Plantarum Rariorum Regni Neapolitani 2: 30
  12. Tropicos, Arundo ampelodesmon Cirillo
External links