jointed flatsedge

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Jointed Flatsedge
• chintul
• guinea-rush
• piripiri

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cyperus fistulosus
• Cyperus gymnos
• Papyrus pangorei
• Cyperus nodosus var. aphyllus
• Chlorocyperus cordobensis
• Chlorocyperus articulatus
• Cyperus articulatus var. conglomeratus
• Cyperus articulatus var. erythrostachys
• Cyperus articulatus var. fistulosus
• Cyperus articulatus f. longispiculosus
• Cyperus articulatus var. multiflorus
• Cyperus articulatus var. nodosus
• Cyperus corymbosus var. subnodosus
• Cyperus cordobensis
• Cyperus borbonicus
• Cyperus interceptus
• Cyperus nodosus
• Cyperus nodosus var. subnodosus
• Cyperus niloticus
• Cyperus subnodosus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It falls under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Poales, specifically as a member of the family Cyperaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Cyperus and the species articulatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Algeria and Egypt. Moving toward the Atlantic, it can be found within the Macaronesian islands of Cape Verde. The species also extends into West Tropical Africa, where it is documented in Benin. Furthermore, its range includes the landlocked West Tropical African nation of Burkina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyperus articulatus is defined by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to an elevation of 2000 m AMSL. This species exhibits significant ecological plasticity, inhabiting various distinct environmental formations including the moist environments of Campo de Várzea, the tropical savanna landscapes of the Cerrado (latu sensu), and the humid conditions found in Floresta Ciliar or Galeria forests. These habitats suggest a preference for areas with consistent water availability or seasonal flooding, allowing the plant to integrate into both open savanna systems and dense riparian corridors.

Elevational range max:

2000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Campo de Várzea, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Cyperus articulatus is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its morphological adaptation to its environment, it functions as a hydrophyte, thriving in aquatic or waterlogged habitats. Furthermore, its growth strategy is categorized as a cryptophyte, indicating that its perennating buds are protected underground or at the soil surface to survive unfavorable conditions.

Life form :

hydrophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyperus articulatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody, graminoid herb. This plant is self-supporting rather than being a climber or a liana, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite. It is categorized as a terrestrial species, meaning it is neither aquatic nor an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, typically ranging from a minimum of 0.6 m to a maximum of 1.6 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.6 m

Plant height mean:

1.8 m

Plant height min:

0.6 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyperus articulatus is characterized by specific metabolic and nutritional adaptations, most notably its photosynthetic pathway, which follows the C4 mechanism to enhance carbon fixation efficiency under varying environmental conditions. This specialized pathway allows the plant to minimize photorespiration and optimize water-use efficiency compared to C3 species. Furthermore, in terms of its nutrient acquisition capabilities, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on the uptake of available nitrogenous compounds from the soil rather than converting atmospheric nitrogen through symbiotic relationships.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

Reproduction in Cyperus articulatus involves the production of specialized seeds that exhibit specific morphological and mass characteristics essential for its dispersal and survival. The seed mass of this species is notably minute, with recorded values indicating a highly fine-grained reproductive output. Detailed measurements show that the seed mass fluctuates within a narrow range, featuring a mean mass of 0.000126667 g. This variability is bounded by a minimum seed mass of 0.00011 g and a maximum seed mass of 0.00014 g. Such low mass values are characteristic of the plant's reproductive strategy, facilitating efficient movement and establishment within its ecological niche.

Seed mass max:

0.00014 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000126667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00011 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cyperus articulatus has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include rhizome, leaf, root.

Rhizome

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR
2. Fitoterapia
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Root

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Chemicals

Cyperus articulatus has 14 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Terpenes, Copaene, Cyperotundone, Flavonoids, Monoterpenes.

Terpenes

1. Fitoterapia
2. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Copaene

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Cyperotundone

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Flavonoids

1. Fitoterapia

Monoterpenes

1. BMC complementary and alternative medicine

Mustakone

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Saponins

1. Fitoterapia

Sesquichamaenol

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Sugars

1. Fitoterapia

Tannins

1. Fitoterapia

Activities

Cyperus articulatus has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifeedant, Antinociceptive, Sedative.

Antifeedant

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sedative

1. Fitoterapia

Medicinal Uses

Cyperus articulatus has 7 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include epilepsy, headache, infections, inflammation, malaria.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations