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Summary
Physical Characteristics

Commelina communis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Shoots
Edible Uses:
Leaves, flowers and young shoots - raw or cooked[2, 105, 177]. Chopped finely and added to salads or cooked as a potherb[183]. A sweet taste with a mucilaginous texture[179].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antibacterial Astringent Depurative Diuretic Febrifuge
The leaves are depurative, diuretic and febrifuge[116, 147]. Used as a throat gargle to relieve sore throats and tonsilitis[116, 266]. A decoction of the dried plant is used to treat bleeding, diarrhoea, fever etc[218]. Extracts of the plant show antibacterial activity[218].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye
A bright blue dye is obtained from the petals[74].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a light well-drained loam with added leafmold[1, 42]. Requires a sheltered position[42]. This species is commonly cultivated as a vegetable in China[2]. The plant can be invasive[42], the stems sprawling along the ground and rooting as they go[K].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
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The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
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Propagation
Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 5 weeks at 20°c[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring. Make sure that each portion has at least one growing bud[111, K]. Cuttings during the growing season. Very easy[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Asiatic Dayflower, Day Flower, A tor, Danzhuye, Duck's tongue plant, Gangi gadda, Kannang keeray, Miandazi, Rau trai, Spider wort, Thai lai trang, Yashecao, Zhuyecao,
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Native distribution includes East Asia and Southeast Asia including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Within China it is found in all provinces except Qinghai, Hainan, Xinjiang, and Tibet.
Introduced to Europe and eastern North America. Now found from Central Europe well into western Russia. Present in Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and in most of the eastern and central American states from Massachusetts and New York in the northeast, west to Minnesota and south through the Great Plains to Texas and east to extreme northern Florida in the United States.
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
This plant can be weedy or invasive. Introduced to central and southeastern Europe and eastern North America where it has spread to become a noxious weed.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
L.
Botanical References
58200266
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
Readers comment
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Subject : Commelina communis
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