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ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
Commelina benghalensis
Tropical Spiderwort
Photographer: Sekh Sayantan
Source: Burdwan Eco Garden, Bugwood.org
Description
Stem is ascending and can be over 3 ft. (1 m) long. Leaves are alternate, parallel-veined like a lily leaf, 1.2-2.8 in. (3-7 cm) long, and can be about twice as long as wide. The leaf sheaths often have reddish hairs where the leaf meets the stem. This is a distinguishing characteristic. Possesses both above- and below ground flowers. Aboveground flowers are lilac to blue and very small and are present from the spring into the fall. The two prominent upper petals are only 0.1-0.2 in. (3-5 mm) across and are on thin pedicels, and the lower petal is inconspicuous and usually white. Underground flowers, which grow on burrowing rhizomes, are white and very small. They do not open.
Photographer: Theodore Webster, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Photographer: Herb Pilcher, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Red-tipped hairs along the edge of the leaf sheaths characteristic of tropical spiderwort.
