Golden beak sedge (Rhynchospora corymbosa, Trans. New York Acad. Sci. 11: 84 1892)

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Britton

Bibliography: Trans. New York Acad. Sci. 11: 84 1892

Year: 1892

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rhynchospora

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Golden beak sedge, scientifically known as Rhynchospora corymbosa, is a remarkable and distinctive member of the Cyperaceae family. Recognized for its vibrant appearance and ecological adaptability, this perennial plant thrives predominantly in tropical and subtropical regions around the globe. The plant was first documented in the authoritative botanical literature in 1892, thanks to the dedicated work of Britton, and it has since become a subject of interest for botanists and plant enthusiasts alike.

This sedge features elegant, slender stems that rise gracefully from the ground, often forming dense colonies that can significantly alter the landscape where they grow. The plant is named for its characteristically golden inflorescences, which resemble a bird’s beak, giving it a unique and easily identifiable appearance among wetland flora. These golden clusters not only add a splash of color to their environment but also play a crucial role in the plant’s reproductive cycle, attracting various pollinators.

Golden beak sedge favors wet and marshy habitats, frequently inhabiting the edges of ponds, swamps, and other bodies of freshwater. Its ability to thrive in such conditions speaks to its resiliency and specialized adaptations that enable it to persist even in less-than-ideal circumstances. The plant’s root systems are particularly effective in stabilizing soil, preventing erosion, and contributing to the health of wetland ecosystems.

Ecologically, Rhynchospora corymbosa serves an important role. By providing cover and food for wildlife, it supports a wide range of organisms, from insects to amphibians. Furthermore, its presence signals a healthy wetland environment, as it often indicates unpolluted and stable ecosystems.

In summary, Golden beak sedge is more than just a visually striking plant; it is an integral part of the ecosystems it inhabits. Its scientific documentation dates back over a century, yet its importance and allure have only grown with time. Rhynchospora corymbosa continues to be a vital component of tropical and subtropical wetlands, underscoring the intricate and delicate interplay between flora and their environments.

Common Names

Spa: cortadera
Eng: golden beak sedge, matamat
En: Golden beak sedge, Matamat, Golden beak-sedge, Golden beaksedge
Fr: Rhynchospore en corymbe
De: Goldgelbes Schnabelried
Es: Cortadera

Synonyms

• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. angustirostris ((Barros) Guagl.)
• Calyptrostylis asperula var. minor (Nees)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. minor ((Nees) Kük.)
• Rhynchospora surinamensis ((Rottb.) Nees)
• Rhynchospora sclerioides var. stokesii ((F.Br.) Kük.)
• Rhynchospora sclerioides f. saxicola ((F.Br.) Kük.)
• Rhynchospora macrocarpa (Boeckeler)
• Schoenus articulatus (Roxb.)
• Rhynchospora aurea (Vahl)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. singularis (Kük.)
• Cephaloschoenus articulatus ((Roxb.) Nees)
• Rhynchospora subulirostris (Steud.)
• Rhynchospora corymbifera (Nees)
• Cephaloschoenus divergens (Nees)
• Calyptrostylis rudgei (Nees)
• Schoenus surinamensis (Rottb.)
• Rhynchospora articulata ((Roxb.) Schult.)
• Rhynchospora stokesii (F.Br.)
• Schoenus corymbosus ((L.) Pers.)
• Rhynchospora aurea f. florida ((Rudge) Lindm.)
• Dichromena corymbosa ((L.) J.F.Macbr.)
• Rhynchospora puncticulata var. pleiocephala (Osten)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. chacoensis ((M.Barros) Svenson)
• Rhynchospora stokesii f. saxicola (F.Br.)
• Calyptrostylis fascicularis (Nees)
• Calyptrostylis florida ((Rudge) Nees)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. bonariensis (Barros ex Cabrera & Dawson)
• Calyptrostylis divergens (Nees)
• Calyptrostylis gaudichaudii (Nees)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa f. chacoensis (M.Barros)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. grandispiculosa (Kük.)
• Scirpus bangalorensis (B.Heyne ex Wall.)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa var. florida ((Rudge) Kük.)
• Rhynchospora florida var. nigra (Griseb.)
• Calyptrostylis articulata ((Roxb.) Nees)
• Scirpus umbellatus (Roxb. ex Kunth)
• Schoenus floridus (Rudge)
• Rhynchospora schraderiana (Steud.)
• Rhynchospora corymbosa f. angustirostris (Barros)
• Chaetospora aurea (Kunth)
• Rhynchospora florida ((Rudge) Schult.)
• Rhynchospora spectabilis (Hochst. ex C.Krauss)

Distribution

• Andaman Is. (native)
• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Argentina Northwest (native)
• Argentina South (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bismarck Archipelago (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cape Provinces (native)
• Caroline Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Chad (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• East Himalaya (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Fiji (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Galápagos (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Jawa (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Maluku (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• New South Wales (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Samoa (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Society Is. (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Togo (native)
• Tonga (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Tubuai Is. (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Vanuatu (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Wallis-Futuna Is. (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2022 by Yunita Apriyanti (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Sep 23, 2013 by Endemia – Jean-François Butaud (cc-by-nc)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 5, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – J. González (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:220271-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2721495)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rhynchospora corymbosa (L.) Britton)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth