Stipa tenacissima (esparto, esparto grass, halfah grass, alfa grass, or needle grass) is a perennial grass of northwestern Africa and the southern part of the Iberian Peninsula.
Stipa tenacissima is an endemic species of the Western–Central Mediterranean countries. It grows in France (including Corsica), Spain (including the Balearic Islands), Portugal, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya. It grows in dry, rocky and base rich soils, forming a steppe-like grassland. It has been managed by people for centuries.
See main article: Esparto. Stipa tenacissima produces a fiber product called esparto which is used for crafts, such as cords, basketry, and espadrilles as well as for making paper.