Plate 42. 

 COMMELINA benghalensis. 

 Cape Province, Natal, Transvaal. 



COMMELINACEAE. Tribe COMMELINEAE. 



Commelina, Linn. ; Benth. et Hook. f. Gen. Plant, vol. iii. p. 847. 



Commelina benghalensis, Linn. Sp. PI. 41 ; Fl. Cap. vol. vii. p. 9. 



A common species in certain habitats in South Africa, 

 and extending to Tropical Africa, throughout India to Japan, 

 and the Moluccas. On account of its easy cultivation and 

 the exquisite deep shade of blue of the petals, it deserves 

 more recognition from gardeners, and should be at least as 

 great a favourite as species of Tradescantia (The Wandering 

 Jew). The floral structure shows interesting modifications in 

 the stamens, and a study of the method of pollination would 

 certainly bring to light some interesting facts. This plant 

 often produces at the base modified (cleistogamic) flowers 

 which burrow into the ground and produce small capsules. 



The original drawing from which our figure has been 

 reproduced was prepared by Miss Page and loaned by the 

 Curator of the Bolus Herbarium. The plants flowered in 

 March and April at the National Botanic Gardens, Kirsten- 

 bosch (No. 1232/18), and were sent by Mr. Gr. Hay from Louis 

 Trichardt, Transvaal. 



Desckiption : — A diffuse herbaceous plant. Stem 1 5-80 cm. 

 long. Leaves 3-8 cm. long, l - 5-35 cm. broad, ovate or 

 elliptic-ovate, acute, contracted at the base into a sheath 

 often ciliate with reddish hairs, and usually wavy margins. 

 Flowers partly enclosed in a green hairy spathe, the topmost 

 flower long-exserted. Sepals 3 ; the two side sepals more or 

 less orbicular ; the odd sepal elliptic. Petals 3 ; the two side 

 petals dark blue, semi-orbicular, produced at the base into a 

 distinct claw ; the odd petal small, ovate-elliptic. Stamens 6, 

 divided into three sets ; three stamens barren, forming 

 staminodes ; the three side stamens blue ; one stamen yellow, 



