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 the related species 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

Nomenclature

Seed received as Commelina coelestis. Name not recognised by the RHS.
The Royal Horticultural Society Horticultural Database, (2016), available at www.rhs.org.uk

Other use

Edible: rich in starch
Plants for a Future (2016) at www.plantsforafuture.org.uk https://pfaf.org/User/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Commelina+tuberosa

It is of evolutionary interest as it is found on the Pacific coast of Central and South America and the very similar Commelina communis only on the Pacific coast of Asia from Russia, China, Japan, Vietnam etc. Did it come as C, communis (and evolved into a separate species) with early migrants from Japan to Ecuador and Peru where many of the indigenous people have Japanese features?

Geographical distribution

  • Northern America, Mexico

Commelina tuberosa L. Coelestis Group

Family: COMMELINACEAE
Genus: Commelina
Species: tuberosa L.
Cultivar: Coelestis Group
Common names: Blue Spider Wort
Distribution summary: Mexico
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: H2 - Tender; cool or frost-free greenhouse
Habitat: Thickets and open forest
Garden status: Currently grown
Garden location: Plants in pots (POT)
Flowering months: July, August, September


Back to List