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Idambiso, idemadema, idlebendlele, idangabane
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Commelina benghalensis is a spreading, perennial herb with succulent, prostrate or ascending stems that root at the nodes. The leaves are simple, alternate, and broadly lance-shaped. It produces small, deep ink-blue flowers in clusters at branch tips, with both aerial and underground flowers. The plant is highly adaptable and grows in disturbed sites, cultivated fields, and natural grasslands across Africa and Asia.
The plant is pollinated by insects, especially honey bees, stingless bees, and butterflies. It supports a variety of invertebrates and provides groundcover for small animals. The plant is browsed by bushbuck and is used in traditional medicine. It can be invasive in agricultural fields, outcompeting crops and native plants, but also contributes to soil cover and erosion control.
Deep ink-blue flowers pollinated by bees and butterflies; seeds dispersed by animals, water, and human activity.
Not a direct food source, but attracts insect prey for insectivorous birds.
Easily grown from seed; also propagates by rooting at stem nodes.
Stem cuttings root easily at the nodes.
Used in traditional medicine for various ailments; leaves used as leafy vegetables in some regions.
Browsed by bushbuck; sometimes used for livestock feed.
Not known to be toxic.
Useful for rapid groundcover, soil stabilization, and increasing plant and insect diversity in restoration projects; caution needed due to invasive potential.
