star sedge

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• star sedge
• star-grass
• whitetop sedge
• yerba de estrella

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rhynchospora nervosa var. tenuifolia
• Dichromena nervosa
• Rhynchospora exigua
• Dichromena tenuifolia
• Schoenus tenuifolius
• Dichromena pilosa
• Dichromena ciliata var. vahliana

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. Finally, it is identified by the genus Rhynchospora, specifically as the species Rhynchospora nervosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence across several distinct regions within the country of Mexico. Its geographical distribution begins in the central part of the nation, specifically within Mexico Central. Furthermore, the species can be found extending toward the eastern coastal areas of Mexico Northeast and Mexico Gulf. The plant's range also reaches into the western territories of Mexico Northwest. Finally, its occurrence is documented throughout the southern reaches of Mexico Southwest.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rhynchosporum nervosa is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, allowing it to inhabit environments ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude regions reaching 3000 m AMSL. This species demonstrates significant ecological plasticity, as it is frequently found within anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) as well as in more natural, undisturbed ecosystems such as coastal forests (Floresta Ciliar) or gallery forests (Galeria). This ability to thrive in both human-altered landscapes and riparian corridors suggests a versatile adaptation to varying moisture levels and soil compositions across its extensive elevational gradient.

Elevational range max:

3000 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria

Life history

The life history of Rhynchosporum nervosum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a geophyte, it maintains its survival by storing essential nutrients and energy in underground organs, which enables it to endure unfavorable environmental conditions and re-emerge when conditions become favorable for growth.

Life form :

geophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rhynchospora nervosa is characterized by a growth form categorized as a herb, manifesting as a non-woody plant structure. It is a terrestrial species, rather than aquatic or semiaquatic, and functions as an independent organism without parasitic tendencies. In terms of its physical habit, the plant is described as a self-supporting climber, possessing the ability to ascend without being an obligatory liana or a facultative vine. Furthermore, it maintains a terrestrial existence rather than acting as an epiphyte, whether in a holoepiphytic, hemiepiphytic, or facultative capacity.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rhynchospora nervosa has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid.

Flavonoid

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Rhynchospora nervosa has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antipyretic.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antipyretic

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Rhynchospora nervosa has 3 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include fever, inflammation, venereal disease.

Fever

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Venereal disease

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology