Scientific Name:
Isolepis cernua
Pronunciation:
eye-soh-LEP-is SER-new-ah
Common Name:
fiber optic grass
Family Name:
Cyperaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (true), Poales (grass-like)
Key ID Features:
Stems numerous, slender, 4-20(-40)cm tall x 0.2-0.5mm wide; leaves 1-3 near the bases, variously developed (reduced to scales or with sheaths and very short blades further up on and exceeding the stems), 10-20cm long x 0.2–1mm wide; spikes solitary, near stem tips, 2-5.5mm long x 1-2mm wide.
Habit:
Spreading
Form:
Creeping / Mat-like
Texture:
Fine
Mature Height:
0.1 - 0.2m
Mature Spread:
0.1 - 0.3m
Growth Rate:
Moderate
Origin:
Africa, B.C. west of Cascades, Europe, U.S. - northwest
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 8a: (-12 to -9.5 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun, Part sun/part shade
Soil/Growing Medium:
Bog
Water Use:
Aquatic, Wetlands
Landscape Uses:
Aquatic - ponds, Bedding plant, Container planting, Group or mass planting, Perennial border, Summer interest, Wetland - bogs
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple, Grass-like
Arrangement:
Alternate, Basal
Texture/Venation:
Surfaces:
Glabrous
Colour in Summer:
Dark-green
Colour in Fall:
Dark-green
Shapes:
Linear
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Sheathing
Margins:
Entire
Inflorescence Type:
Spikelet, Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
0
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Not showy, Brown
Flower Scent:
None
Flower Time at Peak:
Jul, Aug
Fruit Type:
Achene
Fruit Colour:
Brown
Fruiting Time:
Additional Info:
Not showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Organ Modifications:
Rhizomes
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
(Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
