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Commelina benghalensis is a fast-spreading herb that can grow either annually or perpetually, depending on moisture levels. It has long, prostrate or slightly upright stems up to about 1 meter that root wherever they touch the ground, allowing it to colonize new areas quickly. Some of its smaller, leafless stems grow underground and produce hidden, self-pollinating flowers and seed capsules.
The plant has leaves that are oval to narrow, up to 145 mm long, and covered with fine hairs on both sides. The base of each leaf has a sheath with bristles at the opening. Its flowers are a deep blue and appear in funnel-shaped, soft coverings at the ends of branches. Flowering can happen nearly all year, especially in warmer climates.
Commelina benghalensis is an aggressive weed that quickly covers open ground, disturbed soil, or farms by forming dense mats with its stems and leaves.
Insects: Flowers pollinated mainly by ants and small insects; specific butterfly and moth associations are not widely documented in herbaria.
Soil: Pioneer and groundcover; improves soil structure, prevents erosion, and colonizes bare ground rapidly.
Other Flora: No known host records for mistletoe or epiphytes; inhibits the growth of small competitors, forming dense mats.
Wildlife: Browsed by bushbuck and other grazers; leaves and stems are used for livestock and sometimes consumed by humans as a spinach-like vegetable.
Ecosystem Services: Excellent pioneer, erosion controller, rapid restorer of disturbed areas; sometimes problematic weed in crops.
Pollinators: Mostly ants; some flowers are cleistogamous (self-pollinating underground).
Fruit/Seed Dispersers: Seeds are dispersed by water, human harvest activities, and possibly mammals or birds in riparian areas.
Wildlife Interactions: Seed capsules and above-ground parts provide fodder for livestock and wildlife browsing; limited direct wildlife dependence.
No direct records of fruit or seed being eaten by birds; ecological contributions mainly through habitat and insect support.
Collect ripe capsules from both above-ground and subterranean stems of Commelina benghalensis. Extract seeds and store them in a cool, dry place.
In spring, sow seeds shallowly (up to 1 cm deep) in moist, warm soil around 25°C. Keep the substrate damp but not waterlogged. Seeds germinate rapidly, and seedlings grow quickly.
Take cuttings of stem nodes or runners from Commelina benghalensis and press them into wet, sandy soil. These cuttings will root quickly and easily, making vegetative propagation extremely efficient and contributing to the plant’s weediness.
Historical Uses: Used as a poultice for burns, sore throats, and eye disorders in African and Indian cultures. In the Philippines and India, leaves and stems cooked as emergency food; used as a green fodder for livestock.
Medicinal Uses: Treats infertility, sore throats, burns, and infant thrush; used for dysentery, rashes, and leprosy in various regions. Mucilage applied for mouth conditions; juice or decoction for ophthalmia, malaria, and urethral pain.
Toxicity: No known toxicity to humans or livestock; edible leaves and stems.
Pharmacological Action: Documented wound healing and anti-inflammatory effects; some reports of demulcent, laxative properties and malaria treatment.
Bioactive phytochemicals: Scientific studies have found polysaccharides and some anti-inflammatory phytoconstituents, but the major portals list chemical studies as ongoing.
Livestock & Fodder: Leaves widely consumed by livestock, especially during shortfalls in pasture; integral to small-scale farming as a supplemental green fodder.
