Museo dell'intreccio mediterraneo di Castelsardo

It is a plant of the Arecaceae family, the only species in the genus Chamaerops, typical of the Mediterranean shrubland. This evergreen plant normally grows up to 2 meter, and has a short, spongy but robust trunk. It grows in warm coastal areas, mainly in rocky limestone substrates like those in Alghero and Castelsardo, where it is used as one of the finest and most common weaving materials. Its palmate leaves are used in weaving works because they are long and thin, rigid but flexible, and thus suitable for making different kinds of handiworks.

Baskets, creels, sieves and sifters - which have various local names - are made of woven dwarf palm leaves; but they are also used for making mats, brooms, nets, hats, chair bottoms and mattress stuffing. Mediterranean dwarf palm is currently a protected species and its leaves cannot be freely harvested.