COMMELINA Ccelestls. 

 Sky-hlue Commelina. 



Class and Order. — T hiandria Monogynia. 



Syii. Commelina Coelestis. Sweefs B. F. G. t. 3. 



— Commelina Coelestis. Rcemcr et Sckultz, si/s. veg. v. 1. p. 533. 



— Commelina Coelestis. Wild. Enumer, vol. I. p. Gl. 



Root tuberous, fasciculated, fusiform — stem erect, branching — leaves smooth, 

 ovate, lanceolate, striate, margins undulate, base concave, sheathing the 

 stem, fringed on one side with a line of hairs — peduncle pubescent — flower 

 terminal — involucrum cordate, acute, enclosing two or more flowers — 

 pedicel smooth, very short — calyx three segments, alternate with the 

 petals — corolla bright blue — petals three, equal, ovate, margins undulate 

 — nectaries three, erect — stamens three — filaments recurved — anthers 

 sagittate — style longer than the stamens — stigma very small. 



Though this plant is frequently confused with C tuberosa it is 

 proved to be decidedly distinct, Mr. Sweet having obligingly informed 

 the author that he has carefully compared the two species, and thus con- 

 firmed the opinions of Rcemer et Schultz, and other botanists on the 

 Continent, where the distinction is now generally adopted. This species, 

 which has a larger and lighter coloured flower, longer and narrower 

 leaves, than C tuberosa, is a native of Mexico, and was introduced into 

 this country in 1813 : it has been generally treated as a green-house 

 plant, but it will grow perfectly well in the open air, though from the 

 fleshy nature of the roots it is necessary to take them up in winter, and 

 treat them in the same manner as Dahlias. C crassifolia is the only 

 species besides the two above mentioned, suitable for the flower gar- 

 den. 



PI. 47. 



