Commelina benghalensis L.

Benghal dayflower, tropical spiderwort, Benghal wandering Jew

Afr

blouselblommetjie

isiZulu

Idambiso, idemadema, idlebendlele, idangabane

IsiXhosa

uhlotshane

Description

Family:

Commelinaceae

Order:

Commelinales

Description

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.

Plant Details

Height

10–40 cm (sprawling)

Thorns

None

Soil

Adaptable; grows in sandy, loamy, or clay soils; tolerates poor and disturbed soils

Fast

Growth Rate

10–40 cm (sprawling)

Size

Perennial

Lifespan

Flower Colour

Flowering Season

, , , ,

Horticultural Zones

Acid to neutral

pH

Adaptable; grows in sandy, loamy, or clay soils; tolerates poor and disturbed soils

Soil

Full sun to partial shade

Aspect

Low to moderate

Frost Tolerance

High

Drought Resistance

Companion Plants

Grows with other groundcovers and pioneer species in disturbed sites.

Caterpillars

Supports various pollinator insects and herbivores.

Associations

Descriptions

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.

Flowers and fruits

Deep ink-blue flowers pollinated by bees and butterflies; seeds dispersed by animals, water, and human activity.

Birds

Not a direct food source, but attracts insect prey for insectivorous birds.

By Seeds:

Easily grown from seed; also propagates by rooting at stem nodes.

By Cuttings:

Stem cuttings root easily at the nodes.

Traditional Uses

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.

Plant Details

Height

Description

Thorns

Description

Leaves

Description

Size

Growth Form

Size

Size

Size

Lifespan

Size

Flower Colour

Size

Flowering Season

Size

Horticultural Zones

Size

pH

Size

Soil

Size

Aspect

Size

Frost Tolerance

Size

Drought Resistance

Description

DESCRIPTION

Height

DESCRIPTION

Leaves

DESCRIPTION

Thorns

DESCRIPTION

BSS

Ecoscore

Host plant Nectar Grazing

Link to PlantzAfrica.co.za

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Distribution

Companion Plants

Description

Caterpillars

Associations

Leaves

Leaves

Flowers and fruits

Leaves

Birds

Leaves

Mammals

Leaves

By Seeds:

Leaves

By Cuttings:

Leaves

Traditional Uses

traditional uses