Fimbristylis dichotoma
Cyperaceae or Sedge family
Synonyms: Fimbristylis polymorpha var. longifolia
Fimbristylis dichotoma
Cyperaceae or Sedge family
Synonyms: Fimbristylis polymorpha var. longifolia
No Known Ancient Hawaiian Name (See Hawaiian Name below)
Forked fimbry
Natural Range & Environment
Fimbristylis dichotoma found on all the main Hawaiian Islands except Ni‘ihau and Kaho‘olawe. [Wagner et al. 1990].
Fimbristylis dichotoma
Description
Fimbristylis dichotoma
Growth Requirements
General
Fimbristylis dichotoma
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]
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]
Pests and Diseases
Fimbristylis dichotoma Refer to the Pests & Diseases page for ways to deal with each of these pests and diseases.
Uses
Ancient Hawaiian
Fimbristylis dichotoma
Modern
Special Features and Information
General
The Sedge family (Cyperaceae) consists of approximately 5,500 species in about 90 genera [WikipediA;Cyperaceae]. Of the 200 to 300 species of Fimbristylis worldwide [WikipediA;Fimbristylis], three are native to Hawai‘i, with one endemic and two indigenous species.
Hawaiian Name
Etymology
Fimbristylis comes from the Latin word, fimbria, meaning "thread or fringe," and the Greek word, stylos, meaning "pillar or column," likely a reference to the flower's style being bordered by long, slender processes (i.e., being fimbriate) in some members of the genus [Wagner et al. 1990]. 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.
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