376 



COMMELINACEAE. 



3. Commelina communis L. Asiatic Day-flower. (Fig. 907.) 



Commelina communis L. Sp. PI. 40. 1753. 

 Commelina H'illdenovii Kunth. Enum. 4: 37. 





Glabrous or nearly so, stems ascending or de- 

 cumbent, rather slender, sometimes rooting at the 

 nodes, i-3 long. Leaves lanceolate or oblong- 

 lanceolate, s'-s' long, I'-i)^' wide, acuminate at 

 the apex, narrowed or rounded at the base, smooth; 

 sheath white-membranous with green veins, some- 

 times ciliate, 8 // -i2 // long; spathes few, peduncled, 

 their 2 bracts acute or acuminate, nearly \' long, 

 glabrous or sometimes pubescent, distinct; flowers 

 deep blue, }^ f or more broad; ventral cells of the 

 ovary 2-ovuled, the dorsal i-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 erecta I,. Slender Day- 

 flower. (Fig. 908.) 



Commelina erecta L. Sp. PI. 41. 1753. 



Somewhat pubescent or glabrous, stems com- 

 monly tufted, erect or ascending, i-2 tall, the 

 roots somewhat thickened. Leaves linear- lanceo- 

 late, $'-(>' long, \"-\ f wide, acuminate at the apex, 

 narrowed at the base; sheaths %'-i' long, often 

 pubescent; spathes peduncled or sessile, the 2 

 bracts more or less pubescent, acute or acuminate, 

 distinct, io // -2o // long; flowers %' or more broad; 

 ovary 3-celled, each cell i-ovuled; capsule papery, 

 all its cells dehiscent, each i-seeded; seeds ash- 

 colored, nearly or quite smooth, puberulent. 



In moist soil, southern Pennsylvania (according to 

 Watson), south to Florida, Texas and in tropical 

 America. Aug. -Oct. 



5. Commelina Virginica L. Virginia Da>--flo\ver. (Fig. 909.) 



Commelina I'irginica L,. Sp. PI. Ed. 2, 61. 1762. 



Similar to the preceding species, somewhat pu- 

 bescent or glabrous, stems diffusely branched, rather 

 stouter, i>-3 high. Leaves lanceolate or linear- 

 lanceolate, 3'-$' long, 5 // -i2 // wide, acuminate at 

 the apex; sheaths inflated, often pubescent, the 

 orifice sometimes fringed; spathes several, usually 

 peduncled, the 2 bracts acute or acuminate, S"-I2" 

 long, distinct; flowers i' broad or less, showy; cap- 

 sule 3-celled, each cell i-seeded, the dorsal one in- 

 dehiscent and roughened. 



In moist soil, southern Xe\v York to Illinois and 

 Michigan, south to Florida, Nebraska, Texa- 

 through tropical America to Paraguay. June-Sept. 



