Geeleendagsblom
idangabane
lekzotswana
Commelina africana is variable, spreading, prostrate perennial herb, often rooting at the stem nodes.
It has simple, alternate, lance-shaped leaves. Leaves are variable, oblong to linear, flat or folded, up to 120 mm long but usually smaller, glabrous or glabrescent to variously hairy.
It produces pale to bright yellow flowers from a boat-shaped bract, usually one to three at a time. Each flower lasting only one morning.
The plant have soft, succulent stems that root at the nodes.
The rootstock is hard and woody, with hard, thick, long roots.
Flowering time: October to March, in most parts of southern Africa.
The plant is noted for its rapid colonization in disturbed sites and ability to flower and fruit throughout the year in some regions.
Flowers are pollinated mainly by insects, especially ants.
The plant supports a range of invertebrates. Its dense groundcover provides microhabitat for small animals.
It is browsed by pigs and sometimes used as fodder for livestock.
The plant is used in gardens for groundcover and soil stabilization.
Pale to bright yellow flowers pollinated by insects. Seeds dispersed by animals and water.
Not a direct food source, but attracts insect prey for insectivorous birds.
Easily grown from seed.
Easily grown by rooting stem nodes in moist soil.
Roots and leaves used in traditional medicine for various ailments. Ash used as fertilizer.
Sometimes used as livestock fodder.
Useful for soil stabilization, erosion control, and increasing groundcover diversity in restoration projects.
