Crimson Seeded Sedge

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Crimson Seeded Sedge

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Carex recurvirostra
• Carex javanica
• Carex baccans f. aurantiaca
• Carex baccans f. nigra
• Carex baccans f. recurvirostris
• Carex baccans var. siccifructus
• Carex curvirostris

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, situated within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Following the order Poales, it is classified under the family Cyperaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Carex.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is found across several specific regions within East and South Asia. In China, its presence is noted in the South-Central, Southeast, and Hainan areas. The species also extends its range to the island of Taiwan in Eastern Asia. Furthermore, its distribution reaches into the Indian Subcontinent, specifically within Assam. Together, these locations define the primary geographical footprint of Carex baccans.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Carex baccans is defined by its specific altitudinal distribution, occupying a diverse range of mountainous or montane environments. This species is found at elevations starting from a minimum of 900 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2270 m AMSL. This broad vertical range suggests an ability to adapt to varying thermal gradients and atmospheric pressures, allowing it to thrive in a variety of niche habitats across different altitudinal belts.

Elevational range max:

2270 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

900 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Carex baccans is characterized by its classification as a geophyte, a growth strategy where the plant survives unfavorable seasons through underground storage organs such as rhizomes or tubers. This life form allows the species to persist in its habitat by protecting its vital meristematic tissues beneath the soil surface, enabling rapid regrowth once environmental conditions become favorable. As a geophyte, its phenological cycle is closely tied to seasonal shifts, relying on these subterranean reserves to fuel its reproductive and vegetative development during the growing season. This strategy provides a significant advantage in managing resource availability and surviving periods of dormancy, ensuring the plant's long-term persistence within its ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Morphology

The morphology of Carex baccans is characterized by its graminoid growth form, functioning as a non-woody herb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not exhibit climbing habits, such as being a liana or vine, nor does it function as a parasite or an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial existence. The plant's life strategy is independent, and it can be found in various moisture regimes ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial habitats. In terms of stature, it reaches a maximum plant height of 1.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Carex baccans is characterized by a metabolic framework centered around the C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this process, carbon dioxide is fixed directly through the enzyme RuBisCO within the mesophyll cells, leading to the immediate formation of a three-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate. This C3 pathway dictates the plant's resource allocation strategies, particularly regarding its water-use efficiency and nitrogen requirements, as it lacks the specialized carbon-concentrating mechanisms found in C4 or CAM species. Consequently, its physiological performance is highly sensitive to ambient temperature and light intensity, influencing its transpiration rates and overall gas exchange dynamics during different stages of its growth cycle.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Carex baccans is characterized by the production of small, specialized seeds that exhibit specific morphological weight variations. The seed mass within a population shows a measurable range, with a minimum recorded weight of 0.00129 g and a maximum weight reaching up to 0.00229 g. When considering the overall reproductive output, the seed mass follows a central tendency with a mean value of 0.00179 g. These quantitative traits are essential for understanding the dispersal potential and establishment success of the species in its natural habitat.

Seed mass max:

0.00229 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00179 g

Seed mass min:

0.00129 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Carex baccans has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Carex baccans has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include resveratrol.

resveratrol

1. Parasitology research

Conditions

Carex baccans has 4 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include dysentery, helminthiasis, ulcers, wound infections.

Dysentery

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Helminthiasis

1. Parasitology research

Ulcers

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wound infections

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Carex baccans has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Aqueous extract

1. Parasitology research