Smooth flatsedge

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Smooth Flat Sedge
• boredrain sedge

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Pycreus laevigatus
• Chlorocyperus laevigatus
• Juncellus laevigatus
• Acorellus laevigatus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Poales, it is classified under the family Cyperaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by the genus Cyperus, specifically as the species Cyperus laevigatus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated throughout Southwestern Europe. It can be found inhabiting the various coastal and inland regions of Spain and Portugal. Furthermore, its presence extends to the French territories located within this same southwestern quadrant. The species is also documented across the Mediterranean islands, specifically in the Baleares and Sardegna. Consequently, its range is defined by these interconnected locations across the southwestern European landscape.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyperus laeviagatus is characterized by its preference for riparian environments, specifically colonizing the margins of rivers and canals where moisture is consistently available. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to a maximum elevation of 1600 m AMSL. While it can be found at significant heights, its typical ecological niche is represented by a mean elevation of approximately 100 m AMSL, indicating a strong tendency to thrive in low-lying, wetland-adjacent landscapes.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

margins of rivers and canals

Genetics

The genetics of Cyperus laeviagatus are characterized by significant karyotypic variation, which is reflected in its complex chromosomal profiles. Scientific observations of the species have identified multiple distinct chromosome numbers, specifically recorded at 72, 86, and 88. This variation in chromosome counts suggests a high degree of genomic plasticity within the species, potentially indicating evolutionary processes such as polyploidy or aneuploidy that influence its genetic architecture.

Chromosome number :

72, 86, 88

Life history

The life history of Cyperus laevigatus is characterized by its classification as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategy, the plant functions as a helophyte, meaning it typically grows in wet or marshy environments with its roots submerged in water or soil while its shoots emerge above the surface. Furthermore, it is identified as a cryptophyte, a life form indicating that its perennating buds are protected underground or at the soil surface, ensuring its survival during unfavorable environmental conditions.

Life form :

helophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyperus laevigatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody, graminoid herb that functions as a self-supporting plant. It exhibits a versatile ecological habit, ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic environments to terrestrial habitats, and it is classified as a terrestrial organism rather than an epiphyte. As an independent species, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior. In terms of stature, the plant is relatively diminutive, reaching a minimum height of 0.1 m and a maximum height of approximately 0.6 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.6 m

Plant height min:

0.1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyperus laevigatus is characterized by a highly efficient metabolic framework, specifically utilizing a C4 photosynthetic pathway. This specialized mechanism allows the plant to minimize photorespiration by concentrating carbon dioxide around the enzyme Rubisco, thereby optimizing carbon fixation even under conditions of high light intensity or temperature fluctuations. By employing this C4 pathway, the plant maintains superior water-use efficiency and high photosynthetic rates compared to C3 species, facilitating rapid biomass production and robust growth in its natural ecological niche. This metabolic adaptation is a key physiological driver that supports its resilience and energetic requirements during various developmental stages.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cyperus laevigatus is characterized by a specific flowering cycle and the production of specialized fruit and seeds. The flowering period typically centers around April, though the timing can be variable throughout the year. During this stage, the plant produces flowers that are brown in color. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of an achene, which is categorized as an indehiscent type, meaning it does not split open at maturity to release its contents. These fruits are grey in color and reach a maximum length of 0.15 cm. The seeds contained within are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.00102666666666667 g, while the individual seed mass ranges from a minimum of 0.00017 g to a maximum of 0.00266 g.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

brown

Flowering time :

Apr

Fruit colour :

grey

Fruit length max:

0.15 cm

Fruit type :

achene

Seed mass max:

0.00266 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00102666666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00017 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyperus laevigatus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Fatty acids.

Fatty acids

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Cyperus laevigatus has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Conditions

Cyperus laevigatus has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Cyperus laevigatus has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include ethanolic extract.

Ethanolic extract

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)