Biology:Commelina ensifolia
| Commelina ensifolia | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Monocots |
| Clade: | Commelinids |
| Order: | Commelinales |
| Family: | Commelinaceae |
| Genus: | Commelina |
| Species: | C. ensifolia
|
| Binomial name | |
| Commelina ensifolia R.Br.
| |
Commelina ensifolia, commonly known as scurvy weed, scurvy grass or wandering Jew,[1][2] is an annual herb native to Australia , India , and Sri Lanka.[3]
The species grows as a prostrate herb, producing roots from the stem at the nodes.[1] Flowers are bright blue with three petals, however one petal is much smaller than the others, often producing an appearance of two petals. The species prefers moist soils, but has a broad natural range, extending from coastal monsoon forest to the arid central deserts where it grows as an ephemeral following favourable rains.[1][2][4] The species has been eaten as a green vegetable by Aboriginals. European settlers also ate the plant to prevent scurvy, giving rise the common name of scurvy grass.[5]
The species is a minor weed in some parts of its natural range.[6]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Commelina ensifolia". Centre for Australian National Biodiversity Research (CANBR), Australian Government. 2020. https://apps.lucidcentral.org/rainforest/text/entities/Commelina_ensifolia.htm.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Commelina ensifolia". http://bie.ala.org.au/species/urn:lsid:biodiversity.org.au:apni.taxon:447993. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
- ↑ Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
- ↑ John Jessop; Australian Systematic Botany Society (1981). Flora of Central Australia. Reed. ISBN 9780589502669. https://books.google.com/books?id=6YQ_AAAAYAAJ.
- ↑ A. B. Cribb; Joan Winifred Cribb; Charles McCubbin (1987). Wild Food in Australia. Fontana/Collins. ISBN 978-0-00-636571-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=YABvAAAACAAJ.
- ↑ "Commelina ensifolia". James Cook University Australia. http://www-public.jcu.edu.au/discovernature/plants/plants_t/JCUDEV_006255. Retrieved 21 August 2014.
Wikidata ☰ Q15558511 entry
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