Habit: Fimbristylis cymosa grows as a low herb in clumps. The leaves are grayish green, flat, linear, to 8 cm in length and 0.5 cm in width. The margin is entire with an acute leaf tip. The venation pattern is linear but with the mid rib further to one side than the other creating a false double edge. There is no ligule.
The incomplete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are arranged in compound umbels. The individual flowers are arranged in oval spikelets each subtended by 2-3 scales. 2-6 spikelets are grouped at the ends of the inflorescence branches. The lower flowers in each spikelet are infertile. There is no calyx or corolla. The scales below fertile flowers are keeled. There is 1 stamen. The ovary is superior with a single locule and a 2-cleft style. The fruit is a light to dark brown achene at maturity.
Habitat: Fimbristylis cymosa grows along the edges of fresh and salt-water wetlands, roadsides, and dune systems.
Distribution: Fimbrisytlis cymosa occurs on all island groupings in the Lucayan Archipelago as well as tropical and ubtropical regions of the world.
Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Fimbristylis cymosa is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.