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Commelina africana (Family: Commelinaceae) |
 
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Afrikaans: Geeleendagsblom English: yellow commelina  |
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| Plant Type: |
 Shrub |
| Height: |
0.5m |
| Special properties: |
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Has Medicinal Uses |
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| Rarity Status: |
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Common |
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| Preferred position: |
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Full Sun |
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| Tolerated soil: |
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Sand (coarse texture, drains easily) |
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| Biome: |
Savanna |
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| Flowering time |
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Feb |
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Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
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| Flower colours |
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| Flower type |
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Polinator |
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The major pollinators of this plant are insects, mainly ants. |
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Flower info |
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Inflorescence of two cymes (flower clusters) well developed. The flower varies in size, petals yellow. |
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Leaf info |
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Evergreen |
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Leaves are variable, oblong to linear, flat or folded, up to 120 mm long but usually smaller, glabrous or glabrescent to variously hairy. |
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Seed info |
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| Description |
Spreading, perennial herb up to 0.5 m high.
The flower varies in size, petals yellow. |
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| Growing |
The propagation of this species takes place easily, because even the stem nodes pressed into wet, sandy soil will grow. It is also easy to cultivate from seed.
The plant grows very well in a wet sandy soils or during good rainfall seasons.
Plant it in a sandy soil or rocky areas. Given more water it will exceed its normal height. |
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| Distribution |
Widespread in Africa, Madagascar and the Arabian Pennisula, in forests, savanna and grassland. Very common in southern Africa. |
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| History |
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| Uses |
The Ndebele use a decoction of the roots in the treatment of venereal diseases and as a medicine for women suffering unduly during the menstrual period.
The ash of the plant is used as one of the ingredients in a Sotho charm application to the loins for sterility and an infusion is drunk for the same purpose.
It can also be burned and the ash is dug in around plants as a fertilizer.
Pigs are fed the leaves of this plant. |
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| Ecology |
The major pollinators of this plant are insects, mainly ants. |
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