Fimbristylis dichotoma
Genus
Fimbristylis
Species
dichotoma
Common Names
- Forked fimbry
Synonyms
- Fimbristylis polymorpha var. longifolia
Distribution Status
Indigenous
Endangered Species Status
No Status
Plant Form / Growth Habit
- Non-Woody, Clumping
Mature Size, Height (in feet)
- Grass-like, Short, Less than 1
Mature Size, Width
Plants have a 1-foot spread.
Life Span
Short lived (Less than 5 years)
Landscape Uses
- Accent
- Container
- Erosion Control
- Ground Cover
Additional Landscape Use Information
Forked fimbry can be grown in a variety of landscape situations including along edges of water features, stream banks that seasonally flood, and even with roots submerged in water. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Source of Fragrance
- No Fragrance
Plant Produces Flowers
Yes
Flower Type
Not Showy
Flower Colors
- Brownish
- Red
Additional Flower Color Information
Forked fimbry flowers are brown to somewhat reddish brown.
Blooming Period
- Year Round
- Sporadic
Plant texture
- Fine
- Medium
Additional Plant Texture Information
Leaves of the forked fimbry range from 3 to 16 inches long.
Leaf Colors
- Medium Green
Additional Pest & Disease Information
This sedge is prone to ants, scale, thrips, mealy bugs, and aphids.
Fertilizer
For forked fimbry use very small amounts of a balanced slow release fertilize with minor elements every six months. Foliar feed monthly with kelp or fish emulsion, or a commercial fertilizer with a weak dilution of one half to one third of recommended strength. This sedge is not a heavy feeder and too much fertilizer will encourage unnaturally long leaves. Never fertilize if planted in natural wetlands setting. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Pruning Information
None required. However, pruning off seed heads will prolong life of the plants but also takes away a nice feature. Trimming is best done by hand with sharp pruners rather than a gas or string trimmer.
Water Requirements
- Wet
Additional Water Information
Forked fimbry does best in moist to wet situations and will even grow, flower and fruit with roots submerged in water. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Soil must be well drained
No
Light Conditions
- Full sun
- Partial sun
Additional Lighting Information
Best in full sun in moist to wet conditions.
Spacing Information
Forked fimbry should be spaced about a foot or so apart depending on desired thickness in the landscape use.
Tolerances
- Waterlogged Soil
- Wind
Soils
- Clay
- Organic
Limitations
Short-lived perennials. Plants will re-seed if ground or pot is moist or wet. [David Eickhoff, Native Plants Hawaiʻi]
Natural Range
- Kauaʻi
- Oʻahu
- Molokaʻi
- Lānaʻi
- Maui
- Hawaiʻi
Natural Zones (Elevation in feet, Rainfall in inches)
- Less than 150, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 150 to 1000, 0 to 50 (Dry)
- 1000 to 1999, 0 to 50 (Dry)
Habitat
- Terrestrial
Additional Habitat Information
Forked fimbry grows in a variety of moist to wet habitats in mesic or wet forests and has even been found on lava flows.
Special Features and Information
General Information
Fimbristylis belong to the Sedge Family (Cyperaceae) consisting of some 4,000 species in about 70 genera. Of the 200-300 species of Fimbristylis worldwide, three are native to the Hawaiian Islands.
Forked fimbry is categorized as a native passive-invasive and one of the most widespread species of Fimbristylis.
Etymology
The generic name Fimbristylis is derived from the Latin fimbria, thread or fringe, and the Greek stylos, pillar or column, in reference to the fimbriate style of some members of this genus.
The specific epithet dichotoma is from the Greek dichotomia, divided in two or forked in reference to the anthela (seed head or inflorescence) appearance of continually dividing by twos.
Early Hawaiian Use
No Hawaiian name or use is yet known for forked fimbry.
Additional References
PHOTOS FOR THIS SPECIES CAN BE SEEN AT THE LINK (Copy & Paste to your browser):
https://www.flickr.com/search/?user_id=50823119%40N08&sort=date-taken-desc&text=Fimbristylis%20dichotoma&view_all=1
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