Status:
valid
Authors:
Oberm.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1981
Citation Micro:
Bothalia 13: 437 (1981)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000360011
Common Names
- Commelina modesta
- Modest Dayflower
- Modest Spiderwort
Description
Commelina modesta (also called modest dayflower, among many other common names) is a species of dayflower in the family Commelinaceae. It is an annual herb with lance-shaped leaves and blue flowers. It is native to the Americas. It typically grows in disturbed areas, roadsides, and waste places.
Uses & Benefits
Commelina modesta is used as an ornamental plant and as a groundcover in gardens. It is also used as a source of nectar for bees and other pollinators.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
Commelina modesta has small, blue flowers with three petals. The seeds are small, black and round. The seedlings are small and have a single, long, thin stem.
Cultivation and Propagation
Commelina modesta is a herbaceous perennial native to tropical regions. It prefers full sun to partial shade and moist, well-drained soil. Propagation is best done through division or cuttings taken in late summer or early autumn. The cuttings should be taken from the current season's growth and rooted in a moist, well-drained medium. Once rooted, the cuttings can be transplanted into individual pots and grown on until ready for planting out in the garden.
Where to Find Commelina modesta
Commelina modesta is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas, Africa, and Asia.
Commelina modesta FAQ
What is the scientific name of Commelina modesta?
Commelina modesta
What is the common name of Commelina modesta?
Modest Dayflower
Where is Commelina modesta native to?
Southeast Asia
Species in the Commelina genus
Commelina acutispatha,
Commelina acutissima,
Commelina africana,
Commelina agrostophylla,
Commelina albescens,
Commelina albiflora,
Commelina amplexicaulis,
Commelina appendiculata,
Commelina arenicola,
Commelina ascendens,
Commelina aspera,
Commelina attenuata,
Commelina aurantiiflora,
Commelina auriculata,
Commelina avenifolia,
Commelina bambusifolia,
Commelina barbata,
Commelina beccariana,
Commelina bella,
Commelina benghalensis,
Commelina bequaertii,
Commelina boissieriana,
Commelina bracteosa,
Commelina bravoa,
Commelina cameroonensis,
Commelina capitata,
Commelina caroliniana,
Commelina chamissonis,
Commelina ciliata,
Commelina clarkeana,
Commelina clavata,
Commelina communis,
Commelina congesta,
Commelina corbisieri,
Commelina corradii,
Commelina crassicaulis,
Commelina cufodontii,
Commelina cyanea,
Commelina dammeriana,
Commelina deflexa,
Commelina dekindtiana,
Commelina demissa,
Commelina dianthifolia,
Commelina dielsii,
Commelina diffusa,
Commelina disperma,
Commelina droogmansiana,
Commelina eckloniana,
Commelina elliptica,
Commelina ensifolia,
Species in the Commelinaceae family
Aetheolirion stenolobium,
Amischotolype glabrata,
Amischotolype gracilis,
Amischotolype griffithii,
Amischotolype hispida,
Amischotolype hookeri,
Amischotolype irritans,
Amischotolype laxiflora,
Amischotolype marginata,
Amischotolype mollissima,
Amischotolype monosperma,
Amischotolype sphagnorrhiza,
Amischotolype tenuis,
Amischotolype barbarossa,
Amischotolype divaricata,
Amischotolype dolichandra,
Amischotolype hirsuta,
Amischotolype leiocarpa,
Amischotolype lobata,
Amischotolype parvifructa,
Amischotolype pedicellata,
Amischotolype rostrata,
Amischotolype strigosa,
Amischotolype welzeniana,
Aneilema acuminatum,
Aneilema aequinoctiale,
Aneilema alatum,
Aneilema angolense,
Aneilema aparine,
Aneilema arenicola,
Aneilema benadirense,
Aneilema beniniense,
Aneilema biflorum,
Aneilema brasiliense,
Aneilema brenanianum,
Aneilema brunneospermum,
Aneilema calceolus,
Aneilema chrysopogon,
Aneilema clarkei,
Aneilema dispermum,
Aneilema dregeanum,
Aneilema forskaolii,
Aneilema gillettii,
Aneilema grandibracteolatum,
Aneilema hirtum,
Aneilema hockii,
Aneilema homblei,
Aneilema indehiscens,
Aneilema johnstonii,
Aneilema lamuense,