Capitate galingale (Cyperus capitatus, Fasc. Pl.: 5 (1771))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Vand.

Bibliography: Fasc. Pl.: 5 (1771)

Year: 1771

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Cyperus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: Macaronesia, Medit. to W. Caucasus

Description

Capitate galingale, known scientifically as Cyperus capitatus, is a species within the family Cyperaceae. This plant was formally described and entered into botanical literature in 1771, with the designation attributed to the botanist Vand.

Cyperus capitatus is indigenous to a range of regions stretching from Macaronesia, encompassing the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores, and extends through the Mediterranean basin to the Western Caucasus. This geographical spread indicates the plant’s adaptability to diverse climatic conditions, from coastal islands to mainland areas.

The Capitate galingale is characterized by its unique structure, typically featuring a distinct, tufted form that ends in a capitated (head-like) inflorescence, a structure which has inspired its common name. This inflorescence is where the plant produces its flowers, clustered tightly together. The robust and resilient nature of Cyperus capitatus allows it to thrive in sandy and often harsh environmental conditions, making it particularly common in coastal and xeric landscapes.

Understanding the ecological role and adaptive strategies of Capitate galingale can offer insights into the biodiversity and plant dynamics of the regions it inhabits. Its capacity to colonize and stabilize sandy soils also highlights its potential significance in combating erosion and supporting habitat formation.

In summary, Cyperus capitatus, or Capitate galingale, is a notable plant species within the Cyperaceae family, appreciated for its ecological resilience and distinctive botanical characteristics, thriving from Macaronesia to the Mediterranean and onward to the Western Caucasus.

Common Names

En: Capitate Galingale, Sand Sedge
Ar: سعد (سِعْد), سعد (سِعْد، سَعْد)، ديس (دِيس), سمار (سَمار، سُمار)
Ca: Mansega marina
Fr: Souchet des dunes, Souchet en têtes, Souchet en bouquet arrondi, Souchet à deux épis
He: גומא הקרקפת
It: Zigolo delle spiagge

Synonyms

• Schoenus pallescens (Gand.)
• Galilea mucronata ((L.) Parl.)
• Cyperus aegyptiacus (Gloxin)
• Schoenus mucronatus (L.)
• Scirpus kalli (Forssk.)
• Cyperus macrorrhizus (Nees ex Boiss.)
• Cyperus kalli ((Forssk.) Murb.)
• Chlorocyperus aegyptiacus ((Gloxin) Rikli)
• Cyperus maritimus ((Lam.) P.Silva)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Baleares (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Canary Is. (native)
• Cape Verde (native)
• Corse (native)
• Cyprus (native)
• East Aegean Is. (native)
• Egypt (native)
• France (native)
• Greece (native)
• Italy (native)
• Kriti (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Libya (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Morocco (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Palestine (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Sardegna (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Sinai (native)
• Spain (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Western Sahara (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Oct 13, 2022 by Mic Fari (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2022 by ronchi marta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 24, 2020 by Miras Javier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 1, 2022 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 14, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Patrick LEBOULENGER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 9, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 22, 2021 by pedrogc — (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 15, 2005 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Feb 15, 2009 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Jan 1, 1970 by Photoflora – L’Abbé COSTE (©)

Taken Apr 11, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 26, 2018 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 15, 1997 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Apr 21, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hervé Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 11, 2009 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2016 by Tela Botanica − Ans GORTER (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 17, 2019 by Juan Carlos Viera (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 1, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2714938)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:304048-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Cyperus capitatus Vand.)

Specifications

Growth