Beachstar

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Beachstar

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Remirea maritima var. pedunculata
• Remirea distichophylla
• Remirea maritima
• Remirea pedunculata
• Remirea rigidissima
• Remirea wightiana
• Mariscus capitatus
• Duval-jouvea maritima
• Mariscus pungens
• Cyperus kegelianus
• Mariscus pedunculatus
• Lipocarpha foliosa

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is ordered under Poales and falls into the family Cyperaceae. Ultimately, it is identified by its genus, Cypterus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant, known as Cyperus pedunculatus, exhibits a specific distribution pattern within the West Tropical Africa region. Its presence has been documented across several coastal and inland nations. Specifically, it can be found growing in the territories of Benin and Ghana. Furthermore, the species extends its range into Guinea-Bissau and Guinea. Finally, its geographical footprint includes the forested areas of the Ivory Coast.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cyperus pedunculatus is characterized by its presence in coastal vegetation, where it thrives within specific topographical constraints. This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, spanning from sea level up to an elevation of 1000 m AMSL. Its ability to inhabit these varied coastal landscapes suggests an adaptation to the unique environmental gradients found between low-lying maritime zones and higher coastal elevations.

Elevational range max:

1000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

coastal vegetation

Life history

The life history of Cyperus pedunculatus is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist across multiple growing seasons through established underground structures. As a member of the cryptophyte group, its regenerative buds are protected beneath the soil surface or at the soil level, ensuring survival during unfavorable environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant functions as a geophyte, relying on specialized underground organs to store nutrients and facilitate regrowth, which is a vital adaptation for its long-term survival in its specific ecological niche.

Life form :

geophyte

Life form :

cryptophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cyperus pedunculatus is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody, graminoid herb. This plant is strictly self-supporting, exhibiting no climbing or vining tendencies, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic behavior. It is categorized as a terrestrial to semiaquatic species, ranging across aquatic and terrestrial habitats. As a non-epiphytic plant, it grows directly from the ground rather than as a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. The plant maintains a relatively low stature, with a maximum plant height of approximately 0.15 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

graminoid

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.15 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cyperus pedunculatus is characterized by a highly specialized metabolic framework, most notably defined by its photosynthetic pathway. Unlike many traditional C3 plants, this species utilizes the C4 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism that allows for enhanced carbon fixation efficiency, particularly in environments where water availability may be limiting or temperatures are elevated. By concentrating carbon dioxide around the enzyme Rubisco through the spatial separation of initial carboxylation and the Calvin cycle, the plant minimizes photorespiration and optimizes water-use efficiency. This physiological adaptation enables Cyperus pedunculatus to maintain high rates of biomass production and metabolic vigor under varying ecological conditions, ensuring effective energy conversion and resource management throughout its growth cycle.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C4

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cyperus pedunculatus has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Luteolin 7-O-glucuronide.

Luteolin 7-O-glucuronide

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology

Activities

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

Analgesic

1. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology