noun
1.
a. : a needlegrass ( Stipa comata )
b. : a mountain rice ( Oryzopsis hymenoides ) with long awns
c. Australia : rough bent
2. : any of several fiber plants especially of Agave or the related genus Nidularium (family Bromeliaceae)
3. : any of several commercial fibers from plants of the family Bromeliaceae: as
a. : a fine flexible lustrous strong fiber obtained from the pineapple and used for textiles
b. : a similar fiber from a karatas ( Karatas plumieri )