Cyperus capitatus

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Mariscus mucronatus
• Galilea mucronata
• Scirpus kalli
• Schoenus maritimus
• Chlorocyperus aegyptiacus
• Cyperus aegyptiacus
• Mariscus mucronatus
• Schoenus pallescens
• Schoenus mucronatus
• Cyperus kalli

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse range of habitats across several distinct regions of Europe. In Middle Europe, its presence is specifically noted within Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, its distribution extends into Southwestern Europe across multiple locations. Specifically, it can be found in the Baleares, Corse, and France. Furthermore, the species continues its reach through the coastal landscapes of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyperus capitatus is defined by its specific preference for low-lying terrain, occupying an elevational range that begins at 0 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 20 m AMSL. This narrow altitudinal distribution indicates that the species is specialized for coastal or lowland habitats, typically thriving in areas characterized by minimal vertical relief. Such an ecological niche often suggests an affinity for hydromorphic soils or wetland margins where moisture levels are consistent, as its restricted elevation range limits its presence to the lowest reaches of its geographical landscape.

Elevational range max:

20 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cyperus capitatus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. It functions as a cryptophyte, utilizing specialized underground structures to survive unfavorable environmental conditions. Specifically, its biological classification identifies it as a geophyte, meaning its regenerative organs are located underground, ensuring long-term survival and the ability to re-emerge once conditions become favorable.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyperus capitatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically presenting as a graminoid or forb. The plant is self-supporting and does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behaviors, maintaining a terrestrial lifestyle. It is an independent organism that typically inhabits environments ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial habitats. In terms of stature, it is a relatively small plant, with a height that ranges from a minimum of 0.1 m to a maximum of 0.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyperus capitatus is characterized by a specialized metabolic strategy and specific morphological adaptations for moisture regulation. The plant utilizes a C4 photosynthetic pathway, a highly efficient mechanism that allows for concentrated carbon fixation and minimizes photorespiration, providing a competitive advantage in environments with high light intensity and temperature fluctuations. Structurally, its foliage is adapted to minimize transpirational water loss through extremely narrow leaves, with a leaf width ranging from a minimum of 0.1 cm to a maximum of 0.4 cm. This slender leaf architecture, combined with its specialized carbon fixation pathway, enables the plant to maintain efficient gas exchange and metabolic activity even under potentially stressful environmental conditions.

Leaf width max:

0.4 cm

Leaf width min:

0.1 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cyperus capitatus is characterized by a flowering period that typically begins in January and concludes in June, though the specific timing can be variable throughout the year. The plant produces flowers that exhibit a distinct red coloration, with individual flower lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.6 cm to a maximum of 0.7 cm. Following pollination, the plant produces seeds with a relatively light mass; the individual seed weight ranges from a minimum of 0.0016 g to a maximum of 0.0023 g, with a recorded mean seed mass of 0.00195 g.

Flower colour :

red

Flower length max:

0.7 cm

Flower length min:

0.6 cm

Flowering time :

Jan

Flowering time :

Jun

Seed mass max:

0.0023 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00195 g

Seed mass min:

0.0016 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyperus capitatus has 5 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include FAT, Saponins, Tannins, glucose, sucrose.

FAT

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Saponins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Tannins

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

glucose

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

sucrose

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)