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Fimbristylis cymosa R.Br.

Family Name:	Cyperaceae
Synonyms:	Fimbristylis melanospora Fernald, Fimbristylis obtusifolia (Lamarck) Kunth, Fimbristylis sintenisii Boeckeler, Fimbristylis spathacea Roth, Scirpus obtusifolius Lamarck
Common Name:	Button Sedge, Tropical Fimbry, 黑果飘拂草

Full Sun

Little Water

Moderate Water

Native to Singapore

Coastal Plant

Ornamental Flowers

Ornamental Leaves

Drought Tolerant

Shallow Media

Grass or Grass-like Plant

Plant Division	Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form	Grass or Grass-like Plant (Sedge (Cyperaceae))
Lifespan (in Singapore)	Perennial

Plant Shape

Grassy

Native Distribution	Pantropical. From Mexico, Central America to South America; Africa; thoughout Asia, including islands in the Indian Ocean, Pacific Islands and Australia.
Native Habitat	Terrestrial (Coastal Forest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground)
Preferred Climate Zone	Tropical

Local Conservation Status

Native to Singapore (Least Concern (LC))

Growth Form	Small, clumping terrestrial herb, up to 6.5 cm long, often leaning flat on the ground.
Foliage	Its leaves are extremely rigid, with its blades 1.5–4 mm wide.
Stems	Three-angled, thick at the base, lying flat on the ground.

Flowers	Its inflorescence is a simple or decompound anthela (inflorescence with lateral flowers higher than central flowers). It has numerous spikelets (clustered flowers), oblong to egg-shaped, and 3–6 by 1.5–2.5 mm.
Fruit	Its nutlet (fruit) is broadly drop-shaped and 3-sided.
Habitat	It grows in dry sandy places along roads, coastal rocky places, near sea level. It occurs locally in Pulau Tekong, Kranji, Tampines, around Sungai Buloh, and Sungai Kadut.
Cultivation	It can be propagated by seed.
Etymology	Latin fimbri, fringe; Latin stylis, style, referring to the plant’s fringed style; Greek cyma, having flowers borne in a cyme

Landscaping	This plant is suitable for growing in open sandy areas as a groundcover in parks and gardens.
Desirable Plant Features	Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage
Landscape Uses	General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens, Coastal, Beachfront / Shoreline, Groundcover

Pollination Method(s)	Abiotic
Seed or Spore Dispersal	Abiotic

Light Preference	Full Sun
Water Preference	Moderate Water, Little Water
Rootzone Tolerance	Drought Tolerant, Moist Soils, Saline Soils / Salt Spray, Shallow Media

Propagation Method

Seed, Division

Inflorescence Type	Cyme
Flowering Period	Free-Flowering

Fruit Type

Indehiscent Dry Fruit , Nut / Nutlet

Images

Master ID	31151
Species ID	5544
Flora Disclaimer	The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.