Additional notes (click to expand)
Commemorative
Named for Dutch botanist, Johan Commelin (1629-1692) and his nephew Caspar (1667-1731)
Stearn, W.T.. (1996). Dictionary of Plant Names for Gardeners. Cassell.
Medicinal
A methanolic extract of Commelina communis showed potent inhibitory activity against alpha-glucosidase. Several compounds were identified from the plant that support the pharmacological basis of it's traditional herbal medicine use for diabetes.
Kim H.S., Kim Y.H., Hong Y.S., Paek N.S., Lee H.S., Kim T.H., Lee J.J. (1999) alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors from Commelina communis. Planta Med. 1999. Jun; 65(5): 437-9 65(5): 437-9
Other use
The gene for blue colour was extracted from this plant and put into a Phalaenopsis (Orchidaceae) to make the first blue Phalaenopsis
Oakeley, Dr. Henry F. (2014)
Commelina communis L.
Family: COMMELINACEAEGenus: Commelina
Species: communis L.
Distribution summary: China, Japan
Garden status: Not currently grown
