Commelina benghalensis

Common Name: Benghal dayflower

Family: Commelinaceae

Common Synonyms: none

USDA Hardiness Zone: 8 to 11

Growth Habit: Herb

Origin: Africa, Asia, Pacific

FISC Category: -

FDACS Listed Noxious Weed: Yes

Introduction Date: Earliest Florida herbarium specimen from 1928

IFAS Assessment:

• North: PROHIBITED
• Central: PROHIBITED
• South: PROHIBITED

Description

An annual or perennial creeping herb which readily roots at the nodes. Leaves are ovate to elliptical to 4cm long and 2.5cm wide with a base narrowed into a petiole. Flowers have 3 lilac-blue petals 3-4 cm long, the lower one smaller and whitish. Also produces white underground rhizomes with reduced leaves and modified flowers which produce subterranean seeds.

Habitat

A wide variety of disturbed habitats particularly a weed in agricultural fields

Comments

Found in wet and dry conditions.

Control Methods

• Manual: NA
• Chemical: Becoming resistant to glyphosate so a soil active herbicide can be used when conditions are appropriate.
• Biological: NA

Control Notes

NA

References

Invasive Species Compendium (http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/14977)

UofF / IFAS EDIS: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag230