Jio
Commelina benghalensis
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burkina, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, China, Comoros, Congo, Djibouti, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Hainan, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jawa, Kazan-retto, Kenya, Korea, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malaya, Maldives, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nansei-shoto, Nepal, Nicobar Is., Niger, Nigeria, Ogasawara-shoto, Pakistan, Palau, Philippines, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, South China Sea, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Herb Pilcher, USDA ARS
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Genus:
- Commelina
- Species:
- Commelina benghalensis
- USDA Symbol:
- COBE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Annual | Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 70 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Part Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple
- Ground Cover:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- often found in disturbed areas and fields
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Produces both aerial and subterranean cleistogamous flowers with underground seeds that can remain dormant in soil for extended periods.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI