Elephant grass

Description

Any of several types of plants often used as a substitute for esparto in the manufacture of paper. Examples are:

1) A tall grass, Pennisetum purpureum, native to Africa.

2) A cattail-like plant, Typha elephantina, found in Asia. It is also used for making ropes and baskets.

Synonyms and Related Terms

pampas grass; napier grass; Pennisetum purpureum; Typha elephantina

Authority

• E.J.LaBarre, Dictionary and Encyclopedia of Paper and Paper-making, Swets & Zeitlinger, Amsterdam, 1969

• Random House, Webster's Encyclopedic Unabridged Dictionary of the English Language, Grammercy Book, New York, 1997

• The American Heritage Dictionary or Encarta, via Microsoft Bookshelf 98, Microsoft Corp., 1998