Taxonomy

Division:

Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants

Family:

Poaceae

Genus:

Lygeum

Species:

Lygeum spartum

Growth Characteristics

Growth Habit:

Graminoid

Height:

100 cm

Light Requirements:

Full Sun

Drought Tolerance:

High

Bloom Months:

apr,may,jun

Bloom Colors:

white, cream

Native Range

Algeria, Baleares, Egypt, Italy, Kriti, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tunisia, Western Sahara

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:

small mammals, birds

Deer Resistant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Fire Ecology:

Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire

Fire Notes:

Resprouts vigorously from rhizomes after fire; adapted to Mediterranean fire regimes.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:

poor, sandy, well-drained soil

pH:

7.0 - 8.5 (neutral to slightly alkaline)

Drainage:

excellent drainage required

Moisture:

dry to moderate

Notes:

commonly found in arid and semi-arid regions

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:

None required

Germination Time:

14–30 days

Notes:

Seeds germinate readily without pretreatment; best sown in spring in warm conditions.

Propagation data sourced from Claude AI