376 COMMELINACEAE. 
3. Commelina communis L. Asiatic Day-flower. (Fig. 907.) 
Commelina communis I,. Sp. Pl. 40. 1753. 
Commelina Willdenovii Kunth. Enum. 4: 37. 1843. 
Glabrous or nearly so, stems ascending or de- 
cumbent, rather slender, sometimes rooting at the 
nodes, 1°-3° long. Leaves lanceolate or oblong- 
lanceolate, 3’-5’ long, 1/-114’ wide, acuminate at 
the apex, narrowed or rounded at the base, smooth; 
sheath white-membranous with green veins, some- 
times ciliate, 8’’-12’” long; spathes few, peduncled, 
their 2 bracts acute or acuminate, nearly 1’ long, 
glabrous or sometimes pubescent, distinct; flowers 
deep blue, 14’ or more broad; ventral cells of the 
ovary 2-oyuled, the dorsal r-ovuled; capsule 2- 
celled, each cell 2-seeded; seeds compressed, dark 
brown, roughened. 
Southern New York and eastern Pennsylvania. 
Adventive or naturalized from Asia. July—Oct. 
4. Commelina eréctalI, Slender Day- ‘ 
flower. (Fig. 908.) / 
Commelina erecta I,. Sp. Pl. 41. 1753. 
Somewhat pubescent or glabrous, stems com- 
monly tufted, erect or ascending, 1°-2° tall, the 
roots somewhat thickened. Leaves linear-lanceo- 
late, 3’-6’ long, 4’’-1’ wide, acuminate at the apex, 
narrowed at the base; sheaths '4/-1’ long, often 
pubescent; spathes peduncled or sessile, the 2 
bracts more or less pubescent, acute or acuminate, 
distinct, 10’’/-20’’ long; flowers 14’ or more broad; 
ovary 3-celled, each cell 1-ovuled; capsule papery, 
all its cells dehiscent, each 1-seeded; seeds ash- 
colored, nearly or quite smooth, puberulent. + 
Watson), south to Florida, Texas and in tropical 
In moist soil, southern Pennsylvania (according to } \! 
America. Aug.—Oct. 
5. Commelina Virginica I. Virginia Day-flower. (Fig. 909. ) 
Commelina Virginica I,. Sp. Pl. Ed. 2, 61. 1762. 
Similar to the preceding species, somewhat pu- 
bescent or glabrous, stems diffusely branched, rather 
stouter, 14%4°-3° high. Leaves lanceolate or linear- 
lanceolate, 3/-5’ long, 5/’-12’’ wide, acuminate at 
the apex; sheaths inflated, often pubescent, the 
orifice sometimes fringed; spathes several, usually 
peduncled, the 2 bracts acute or acuminate, 8’’—12/’ 
long, distinct; flowers 1’ broad or less, showy; cap- 
sule 3-celled, each cell 1-seeded, the dorsal one in- 
dehiscent and roughened. 
In moist soil, southern New York to Illinois and 
Michigan, south to Florida, Nebraska, Texas and 
through tropical America to Paraguay. June-Sept. 
