FIELD ID CHARACTERISTICS:
With this clumping grass, a key feature is shiny chestnut brown deep roots. Also look for loose branching clusters of small seeds at tips of flattened stems.
Synonym(s): Scirpus castaneus
Description: Clumping perennial, with stems holding loose clusters of seeds extending out beyond the leaves; up to 1.5 m tall.
Leaves: Blade leaves long, but shorter than much longer flowering stems emerging beyond blades. Flowering stems are flattened.
Flowers/Fruit: Seedheads, without bristles, small and cone-shaped, on numerous airy branching panicles. Flowering and fruiting July to September.
Habit and Range: Found in brackish and fresh-tidal marshes of the Coastal Plain.
COMMON CONFUSIONS:
Both Fimbristylis autumnalis (slender fimbry) (which is much smaller) and Fimbristylis castanea (marsh fimbry) (which is much larger) are relatively common within their range. Other Fimbristylis species occurring in North Carolina are uncommon to very rare. Some are not native.
Click here to view Fimbristylis autumnalis.
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