Fiber-optic-grass (Isolepis cernua, Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 2: 106 (1817))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: (Vahl) Roem. & Schult.

Bibliography: Syst. Veg., ed. 15 bis 2: 106 (1817)

Year: 1817

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Isolepis

Vegetable: False

Observations: Temp. to Andes

Description

Isolepis cernua, commonly known as Fiber-optic-grass, is a fascinating and visually striking plant belonging to the Cyperaceae family. The scientific name for this plant underscores its classification and history within botanical literature, notably appearing in the 1817 work “Systema Vegetabilium,” edited by Roemer and Schultes.

Fiber-optic-grass is renowned for its unique and delicate appearance, which closely resembles the fine, illuminated fibers used in optical technologies. The plant exhibits a graceful, cascading growth habit with slender, grass-like stems that produce tiny, spherical flower heads at their tips. This florets’ arrangement gives it a distinctive look, akin to miniature fiber-optic strands, hence its common name.

In terms of environmental adaptation, Isolepis cernua is quite versatile, found thriving in various climates from temperate regions to the high altitudes of the Andes. Its resilience enables it to withstand different environmental conditions, making it an intriguing subject for both botanists and plant enthusiasts.

As part of the Cyperaceae family, Fiber-optic-grass shares many characteristics with sedges, including its grassy form and water-loving nature. It typically prefers moist, well-drained soils and can often be found along the edges of water bodies or in wetlands. This moisture affinity also makes it an attractive plant for water gardens and other ornamental uses in landscape design, where its unusual form can provide an eye-catching accent.

Overall, Isolepis cernua is a remarkable plant that brings a touch of natural elegance and wonder into any setting. Whether growing in the wild or cultivated for ornamental purposes, its delicate beauty and adaptability continue to captivate and inspire those who encounter it.

Common Names

Swe: ampelsäv
Por: cabeleira-de-vella
Spa: escirpillo cabizbajo
Eng: fiber-optic-grass, low bulrush, slender club-rush, low clubrush, small bristle club-rush
Deu: niedere moorbinse
Nld: knikkende bies
Fra: scirpe incliné, scirpe penché, souchet penché
Cym: clwbfrwynen eiddil, clwbfrwynen fain, clwbfrwynen gwychog eiddilaidd
En: Fiber-optic-grass, Low bulrush, Slender club-rush, Savi’s Mud-rush, Low clubrush, Small Bristle Club-Rush
Nl: Knikkende bies, Knikkendes Bies
Fr: Petit Souchet, Souchet penché, Scirpe incliné, Scirpe penché
De: Niedere Moorbinse, Nickende Schuppensimse
It: Lisca delle pozze
Pt: Cabeleira-de-vella
Es: Escirpillo cabizbajo
Sv: Ampelsäv
Cy: Clwbfrwynen Eiddil, Clwbfrwynen Fain, Clwbfrwynen Gwychog Eiddilaidd

Synonyms

• Schoenoplectus cernuus ((Vahl) Hayek)
• Scirpus cernuus (Vahl)
• Eleogiton cernua ((Vahl) A.Dietr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Antipodean Is. (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Azores (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• British Columbia (native)
• California (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Chatham Is. (native)
• Chile Central (native)
• Chile North (native)
• Chile South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Falkland Is. (native)
• France (native)
• Free State (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Greece (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Juan Fernández Is. (native)
• Kermadec Is. (native)
• Kriti (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Lesotho (native)
• Libya (native)
• Madeira (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Morocco (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• New Zealand North (native)
• New Zealand South (native)
• Norfolk Is. (native)
• Northern Provinces (native)
• Oregon (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Peru (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• South Australia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Tasmania (native)
• Texas (native)
• Tristan da Cunha (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Victoria (native)
• Washington (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• St.Helena (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken May 27, 2020 by Castillo Castillo Lidia (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by Johan Samsom (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2020 by ivy gomera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2022 by craig johnson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2020 by franck salio (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken May 20, 2022 by Edith Tasnadi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Apr 26, 2021 by Javier López (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 12, 2020 by Jonny Poppyseed (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 2, 2021 by pat walsh (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 14, 2022 by Alexandre Crégu (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 24, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 24, 2004 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 20, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Aug 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken May 15, 2015 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jun 30, 1870 by Tela Botanica − Herbier PONTARLIER-MARICHAL (cc-by-sa)

© 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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2713316)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:309238-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Isolepis cernua (Vahl) Roem. & Schult.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Graminoid

Growth

Ph maximum: 5.5

Ph minimum: 5.0

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 7

Bloom months: [‘may’, ‘jun’, ‘jul’, ‘aug’]

Soil nutriments: 2