geeleendagsblom
idangabane
lekzotswana
Commelina africana is a spreading, prostrate perennial herb with soft, succulent stems that root at the nodes. It has simple, alternate, lance-shaped leaves and produces pale to bright yellow flowers from a boat-shaped bract, usually one to three at a time, each flower lasting only a morning. The plant flourishes in sandy or loamy soils, often in rocky or disturbed areas, and is common in grasslands and woodlands across Africa.
Flowers are pollinated mainly by insects, especially ants. The plant supports a range of invertebrates, and 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 or by rooting stem nodes in moist soil.
Stem cuttings root easily at the nodes.
Roots and leaves used in traditional medicine for various ailments; ash used as fertilizer.
Leaves fed to pigs; sometimes used as livestock fodder.
Not known to be toxic.
Useful for soil stabilization, erosion control, and increasing groundcover diversity in restoration projects.
