Compilation
Commelina dianthifolia

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Name

Identification
Commelina linearis Benth. [family COMMELINACEAE ] Verified by Not on sheet, Commelina dianthifolia Delile [family COMMELINACEAE ] (stored under name); Verified by Not on sheet, Isotype of Commelina linearis Benth. [family COMMELINACEAE ] Verified by Not on sheet,
Related name
  • Commelina clandestina
  • Commelina coelestis
  • Commelina leiandra
  • Commelina graminifolia
  • Commelina linearis
  • Commelina longifolia
  • Commelina sp.
  • Commelina dianthifolia

Flora

Entry for Commelina dianthifolia Delile [family COMMELINACEAE]
Herbarium
Flora of North America (FNA)
Collection
Flora of North America
Resource Type
Reference Sources
Entry From
Flora of North America, Vol 22,
Names
Commelina dianthifolia Delile [family COMMELINACEAE], in P. J. Redoute,Les Liliacees...a Paris, 7(65): plate 390. 1812
Information
Herbs, perennial, unbranched to usually sparsely branched. Roots tuberous. Stems erect to ascending. Leaves: blade linear to linear-lanceolate, 4--15 ´ 0.4--1 cm, apex acuminate, glabrous to puberulent. Inflorescences: distal cyme usually 1-flowered, exserted; spathes solitary, green, often suffused and/or striped with purple, pedunculate, falcate or not, 2.5--8 ´ 0.7--1.7 cm, margins distinct, scabrous, not ciliate, apex acuminate, glabrous to puberulent; peduncles 1.5--9.5 cm. Flowers bisexual and staminate; pedicels puberulent; petals dark blue, proximal petal somewhat smaller; staminodes 3; antherodes yellow, cruciform. Capsules 3-locular, 2-valved, 5--6 mm, apiculate. Seeds 5, brown, 2.2--2.7 ´ 1.7--2.2 mm, rugose, pitted.
Phenology
Flowering summer--fall
Distribution
USA Ariz.USA Colo.USA N.Mex.USA Tex.
Discussion
Two varieties have been recognized: Commelina dianthifolia var. dianthifolia (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas), with the spathes gradually tapering into a long, acuminate apex, and C. dianthifolia var. longispatha (Torrey) Brashier (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico), with the spathes abruptly narrowed below the middle into a long, attentuate tip (C. K. Brashier 1966). Although most U.S. specimens are readily separable into these taxa, their ranges and ecologies overlap very broadly in Arizona and New Mexico. Until their variation in Mexico is studied, I can see no useful purpose in maintaining these varieties.

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