The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Sparterie \Spar"ter*ie\, n. [F., from Sp. esparto esparto, L.
   spartum, Gr. ?.]
   Articles made of the blades or fiber of the Lygeum Spartum
   and Stipa tenacissima (syn. Macrochloa tenacissima),
   kinds of grass used in Spain and other countries for making
   ropes, mats, baskets, nets, and mattresses. --Loudon.
   [1913 Webster]