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Isolepis spp.
Cosmopolitan, centred on the Southern Hemisphere
Container Friendly
Native to North America
Overview
Isolepis spp. is a genus of about seventy species of small, tufted, grass-like sedges in the family Cyperaceae, found on most continents and especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Plants form dense, fountain-like tufts of slender, thread-thin, bright green stems, with most species standing only 4 to 12 inches (10 to 30 cm) tall. Tiny pale brown to greenish spikelets sit at or near the stem tips; in the widely grown I. cernua (slender club-rush or fibre-optic grass) the pale spikelets at the ends of arching threads give the plant its common name. Some species are annual and others are tufted perennials. The genus is concentrated in seasonally wet places such as bog margins, damp sand, ditches, and pond edges, growing in full sun to part shade. I. cernua is grown as a foliage plant for containers, water gardens, and as a houseplant. The plants need steady moisture and brown quickly if the roots dry out, and the slender tufts are short-lived in some species, persisting through self-seeding rather than long-lived clumps.
Native Range
Isolepis spp. has a wide global distribution, with the greatest number of species in the Southern Hemisphere, including Africa, Australia, New Zealand, and South America, and others in Europe, Asia, and North America. The plants grow in damp and seasonally wet open ground.Suggested Uses
Isolepis spp. is used in container water gardens, bog plantings, and pond margins, and I. cernua is grown as an indoor foliage plant. The arching thread-like tufts suit pots, hanging displays, and the edges of ponds and streams. Massed plants create a soft green texture in damp settings.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height4" - 1'
Width/Spread6" - 1'
Bloom Information
Tiny spikelets appear through spring and summer at or near the stem tips, varying with species and climate. They are pale brown to greenish, wind-pollinated, and not showy. In I. cernua the small pale spikelets at the thread tips are the main feature rather than any floral colour.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
pale brown to greenishFoliage Description
bright greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-8 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
Isolepis spp. grows in full sun to part shade in constantly moist to wet soils, and several species grow at pond margins or in shallow standing water. The genus does not tolerate drying out, and the slender stems brown quickly when the roots lack moisture. Most ornamental forms are grown as tender to half-hardy plants in roughly USDA zones 8 to 11, or as annuals and houseplants in colder areas. Plants grow well in containers stood in a saucer of water or at the edge of a water feature. Propagation is by division of tufts or by seed, which germinates readily in wet soil.Pruning
Brown or untidy stems can be sheared back to encourage fresh green growth. Plants tolerate being cut over hard in late winter before new growth begins. No other pruning is needed.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 1 gallons