Common fringe-rush (Fimbristylis dichotoma, Enum. Pl. Obs. 2: 287 (1805))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: (L.) Vahl

Bibliography: Enum. Pl. Obs. 2: 287 (1805)

Year: 1805

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Fimbristylis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

The Common Fringe-rush, scientifically known as Fimbristylis dichotoma, is a fascinating species belonging to the Cyperaceae family. Originally classified and documented by (L.) Vahl in “Enum. Pl. Obs. 2: 287 (1805)”, this plant exhibits a remarkable adaptability, flourishing primarily in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe.

Fimbristylis dichotoma is notable for its resilient nature, typically thriving in moist, sandy soils often found near water bodies. This perennial sedge is characterized by its slender, erect stems which can reach varying heights, depending on its environment. The leaves are narrow and grass-like, contributing to its rush-like appearance, while its flower clusters, though small, are intricately arranged, displaying a delicate beauty that contrasts with its hardy nature.

This plant has adapted well to different climate conditions, which is particularly evident in its expansive distribution across diverse ecological zones. The Common Fringe-rush plays an essential role in these ecosystems, often aiding in soil stabilization and providing habitat for various forms of wildlife.

In conclusion, Fimbristylis dichotoma, or the Common Fringe-rush, is more than just a plant of the Cyperaceae family; it is a resilient and significant contributor to the ecological balance in tropical and subtropical regions. Its presence and persistence across these climates underscore its importance in natural habitats.

Common Names

Eng: common fringe-rush, forked fimbry, lesser fimbristylis, tall fringe-rush, two-leaf fimbristylis
En: Common fringe-rush, Forked fimbry, Lesser fimbristylis, Tall fringe-rush, Two-leaf fimbristylis, Tall Fimbry, Annual Fimbry, Tall fringe rush
Ar: حشيش بحر، شعره (شَعَره), فريش (فُريش)، عفرجيش (عُفرجيش)
Zh: 两歧飘拂草, 兩歧飄拂草, 竹子飄拂草
Fr: Fimbristylis à deux ombelles, Fimbristylis annuel
De: Fransenried
It: Zigolo dicotomo, Zigolo annuale
Ko: 하늘지기
Es: Pelo de Chino
Su: Panon munding
Zh-tw: 竹子飄拂草
Th: หญ้านิ้วหนู

Synonyms

• Eleocharis dichotoma ((L.) H.Karst.)
• Scirpus dichotomus (L.)
• Isolepis dichotoma ((L.) Kunth)

Distribution

• Afghanistan (native)
• Alabama (native)
• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Arizona (native)
• Arkansas (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Central American Pac (native)
• Chad (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Comoros (native)
• Congo (native)
• Cook Is. (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Delaware (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Eritrea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Fiji (native)
• Florida (native)
• Free State (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Gilbert Is. (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Gulf States (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Hawaii (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Illinois (native)
• India (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Japan (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Kansas (native)
• Kazakhstan (native)
• Kazan-retto (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Kenya (native)
• Kirgizstan (native)
• Korea (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laccadive Is. (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Marquesas (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Namibia (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• Netherlands Antilles (native)
• New Caledonia (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New York (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Norfolk Is. (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Ogasawara-shoto (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Oklahoma (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Rodrigues (native)
• Rwanda (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Saudi Arabia (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Seychelles (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Socotra (native)
• South Australia (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• South China Sea (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Swaziland (native)
• Tadzhikistan (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Texas (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Togo (native)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Turks-Caicos Is. (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Uzbekistan (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Virginia (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Xinjiang (native)
• Yemen (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)
• France (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Switzerland (introduced)
• Wake I. (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken May 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 23, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Chloe PIERRE (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2022 by Kamthenlal Dimngel (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Yadre Drums (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 6, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. (public)

Taken Jun 30, 2006 by EOL − David Eickhoff (cc-by)

Taken Feb 4, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Chloe PIERRE (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 27, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jun 19, 2013 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 25, 2020 by Yadre Drums (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Forest & Kim Starr (cc-by)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − India Biodiversity Portal (cc-by)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 18, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – N. Zamora (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2708808)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:307853-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Fimbristylis dichotoma (L.) Vahl)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 6.5

Light: 9

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘jul’, ‘aug’, ‘sep’, ‘oct’]

Soil nutriments: 4