atocha U.S.
(əˈtəʊtʃə)
[Sp.]
Esparto. Also attrib., as atocha grass, atocha plant.
| 1869 Rep. U.S. Commissioner Agric. 1868 262 There are two classes of this plant, the ‘atocha’, properly so called, and the coarse or ‘bastard’ atocha... The atocha grass, which is called esparto, is not cut like ordinary grass, but is pulled up from its socket. Ibid. 264 It is at about this elevation [sc. 3,500 feet] where the snow usually commences, that the atocha plant ceases to grow. |