Fimbristylis dichotoma
common fringe-rush
Pantropical; widespread in Australia
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Fimbristylis dichotoma is a tufted, grass-like sedge growing 4-24 inches (10-60 cm) tall, forming dense clumps of slender stems from a fibrous base. The narrow basal leaves are flat to channelled, shorter than the flowering stems, and mid green, sometimes lightly hairy. In summer and autumn each stem carries a branched, open cluster of small egg-shaped spikelets 0.1-0.3 inch (3-8 mm) long that ripen from green to reddish brown. The tiny flowers are wind-pollinated, and the seeds that follow are shed near the parent and spread by water. Fimbristylis dichotoma occurs across tropical, subtropical, and warm-temperate regions worldwide, including much of Australia, growing in damp grassland, swamp margins, drains, rice fields, and disturbed moist ground on a range of soils. It tolerates seasonal flooding, heat, and compacted soil, and behaves as an annual or short-lived perennial depending on climate. In cultivation it is used in wetland and rain-garden plantings and for erosion control on damp banks, though it can self-seed into surrounding beds.
Native Range
Fimbristylis dichotoma has a broad native range across the warmer parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. In Australia it occurs widely across the northern, eastern, and southern states, growing in damp grassland, wetland margins, and seasonally wet disturbed ground.Suggested Uses
F. dichotoma is used in wetland, bog, and rain-garden plantings, around pond margins, and for erosion control on seasonally wet ground. Its tufted form suits naturalistic and habitat plantings. Free seeding means it can spread into nearby moist beds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 2'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Mid greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow F. dichotoma in full sun to part shade on moist to wet soil; it tolerates seasonal flooding, heavy clay, and compaction. The sedge accepts a wide pH range and poor fertility, and grows as an annual or short-lived perennial depending on winter cold. It suits USDA zones 8-11 and tolerates light to moderate frost where it persists. Keep the soil damp, especially in containers and rain gardens, as growth slows under drought. Removing seed heads before they ripen limits spread into adjoining beds.Pruning
F. dichotoma needs no routine pruning. Cut old stems and spent seed heads to near ground level in late winter to refresh the clump. Removing the flowering stems before seed sets reduces self-sowing.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 2 gallons