Yefen (Fuirena umbellata, Descr. Icon. Rar. Pl.: 70 (1773))

Family: Cyperaceae

Author: Rottb.

Bibliography: Descr. Icon. Rar. Pl.: 70 (1773)

Year: 1773

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Fuirena

Vegetable: False

Observations: Tropics & Subtropics

Description

Yefen, scientifically known as Fuirena umbellata, is a remarkable plant species belonging to the family Cyperaceae. This plant can be primarily found in tropical and subtropical regions, where it thrives in the warm climates. The diverse environments of these regions support its growth and proliferation, allowing Yefen to play a significant role in the local ecosystems.

The species Fuirena umbellata was first described and illustrated by Rottb. in the work “Descr. Icon. Rar. Pl.” published in 1773. Since then, it has captured the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts due to its unique characteristics and adaptability to various climatic conditions.

Yefen typically grows in moist or wet areas, often seen around bodies of water or in damp ground, which is indicative of its preference for such habitats within the tropics and subtropics. This characteristic makes it an important species for maintaining the ecological balance in these areas, contributing to soil stability and water retention.

Understanding the ecological importance of Fuirena umbellata is essential for its conservation, as well as for maintaining the health of the habitats it dominates. Moreover, studying this plant can provide insight into the biodiversity and functionality of tropical and subtropical ecosystems, where each species interplays intricately to sustain the environment.

With its long-standing presence documented since the 18th century, Yefen continues to be of botanical interest, underscoring the importance of preserving the invaluable biodiversity found within our planet’s most climatically diverse regions.

Common Names

Eng: yefen
En: Yefen

Synonyms

• Fuirena canescens (Vahl)
• Fuirena umbellata var. typica (Domin)
• Fuirena mauritiana var. angustifolia (Kunth)
• Fuirena mauritiana (Nees ex Kunth)
• Fuirena umbellata var. americana (H.Pfeiff.)
• Fuirena hildebrandtii (Boeckeler)
• Fuirena multiflora (Peter)
• Fuirena brasiliensis (Palla)
• Fuirena umbellata var. unguiculata (Kük.)
• Fuirena rivularis (Nees)
• Fuirena quinguangularis (Hassk.)
• Fuirena thouarsiana (Kunth)
• Fuirena tereticulmis (J.Presl & C.Presl)
• Fuirena appendiculata (Peter)
• Fuirena umbellata var. pilosa (Domin)
• Fuirena guianensis (Klotzsch)
• Fuirena haemaglottis (Steud.)
• Fuirena complotricha (C.Wright)
• Fuirena brachylepis (Peter)
• Fuirena mahouxii (Cherm.)
• Fuirena seriata (C.B.Clarke)
• Fuirena glomerata (Lam.)
• Fuirena pentagona (Schumach.)
• Scirpus fuirena (T.Koyama)
• Fuirena philippinensis (Gand.)
• Fuirena paniculata (L.f.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Assam (native)
• Bangladesh (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Borneo (native)
• Botswana (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Burundi (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Cameroon (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)
• El Salvador (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Ethiopia (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• India (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Jawa (native)
• Kenya (native)
• KwaZulu-Natal (native)
• Laos (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Madagascar (native)
• Malawi (native)
• Malaya (native)
• Mali (native)
• Marianas (native)
• Mauritania (native)
• Mauritius (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mozambique (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• Nepal (native)
• New Guinea (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nicobar Is. (native)
• Niger (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Northern Territory (native)
• Pakistan (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Paraguay (native)
• Peru (native)
• Philippines (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Queensland (native)
• Réunion (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Sri Lanka (native)
• Sudan (native)
• Sulawesi (native)
• Sumatera (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Tanzania (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Tibet (native)
• Togo (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Uganda (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• West Himalaya (native)
• Western Australia (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zambia (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• Zimbabwe (native)

Additional Images

Other

Taken Oct 14, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 14, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-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.

Leaf

Taken Oct 14, 2014 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2718992)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:308552-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Fuirena umbellata Rottb.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Graminoid

Growth