Definitions for "Esparto"
Keywords:  spain, tenacissima, africa, wiry, grass
A species of Spanish grass (Macrochloa tenacissima), of which cordage, shoes, baskets, etc., are made. It is also used for making paper.
A coarse grass from Southern Spain and Northern Africa, employed principally by English and Scottish papermakers. Papers made from Esparto have a good writing and printing surface, are opaque and of good bulking properties. They are largely used for lithographic printing, for book production and as body papers for coating.
grass used for papermaking, the fibres are short and smooth, esparto paper has an even texture, softness and elasticity.