Common yellow commelina

Appearance

Commelina africana is a spreading, perennial herb up to 0.5 m high, glabrous or variously pubescent; the rootstock is hard and woody, with hard, thick, long roots. Leaves are variable, oblong to linear, flat or folded, up to 120 mm long but usually smaller, glabrous or glabrescent to variously hairy. Spathes are folded, dry inside, solitary, pedunculate (stalked); apex acute to long acuminate (tapering), often falcate (sickle-shaped). Inflorescence of two cymes (flower clusters) well developed. The flower varies in size, petals yellow. Flowering time: October to March. Commelina africana is divided into four varieties.

Naming

Synonym(s):
Dirtea africana (L.) Raf.
Stickmannia africana (L.) Raf.

Distribution

Widespread in Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Pennisula. Very common in southern Africa.
Introduced: Australia (New South Wales)

Status

Commelina africana is assessed as Least Concern. The species is common and widespread in Africa. The population is currently believed to be stable and no real threats are known at present.

Habitat

In forests, savanna and grassland. The plant is a spreading herb that flourishes in sandy soil in rocky areas where it spreads rapidly.