Daily Telegraph Monday 15/01/07 GK Crossword 17across?

[Pantheon]

Re 17a clue �Alternative spelling for North African esparto -

Definitions from Answers.com

es�par�to (ĭ-sp�r'tō)
n., pl. -tos.
A tough, wiry grass (Stipa tenacissima) of northern Africa, yielding a fiber used in making paper and as cordage.
+
Either of two species of gray-green needlegrasses (Stipa tenacissima and Lygeum spartum), native to southern Spain and northern Africa, or the fibre produced by esparto.
+
Esparto, or esparto grass, also known as "halfah grass" or "needle grass", Stipa tenacissima, is a perennial grass grown in northwest Africa and southern Spain for fiber production for paper making.

Al�fa
or Al�fa grass n.
A plant (Macrochloa tenacissima) of North Africa; also, its fiber, used in paper making.

The above is therefore saying that -
esparto = Stipa tenacissima or Lygeum spartum
alfa grass = Macrochloa tenacissima

What does Chambers say?

[JoolsTwo]

Alfa - see Halfa -

Halfa - (or Alfa) N African esparto grass

[Pantheon]

I asume you are quoting Chambers?

Key differences between Chambers and other sources!

thanks

[sincnoel]

MM used chambers. one assumes whoever is doing it now also uses chambers. it isn't the best dictionary around but we're stuck with it.

[brizzer]

Alfa is also given as an alt. to alpha