Commelina forskaolii

Commelina forskaolii
Specimen from Hyderabad, India; the winged blue stamen filaments are characteristic of the species
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Monocots
(unranked): Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Subfamily: Commelinoideae
Tribe: Commelineae
Genus: Commelina
Species: C. forskaolii
Binomial name
Commelina forskaolii
Vahl, 1805[1]

Commelina forskaolii, sometimes known as rat's ear, is an herbaceous plant in the dayflower family native to much of Africa, Arabia, and India. It has also been introduced to Florida in the United States. It is considered a common species in most of its range. It can be easily recognized by its bright blue flowers with winged stamen filaments. The seeds are also distinctive with distinctive irregular ridges on their sides. It often forms dense mats, and can be found most commonly in sandy soils in at least somewhat sunny situations. The species is considered a weed in many areas because of its hardiness and ability to produce cleistogamous flowers.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Vahl, Martin (1805). Enumeratio Plantarum. 2. Copenhagen: Schubothe. p. 172.
  2. ↑ Faden, Robert B. (2012), "Commelinaceae", in Beentje, Henk, Flora of Tropical East Africa, Richmond, Surrey: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, pp. 203–204, ISBN 978 1 84246 436 6
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