COMMELINA Cœlestis.
Sky-blue Commelina.
Class and Order.—Triandria Monogynia.
| Syn. | Commelina Cœlestis. | Sweet's B. F. G. t. 3. |
| — | Commelina Cœlestis. | Rœmer et Schultz, sys. veg. v. 1. p. 533. |
| — | Commelina Cœlestis. | Wild Enumer, vol. 1. p. 61. |
Root tuberous, fasciculated, fusiform—stem erect, branching—leaves smooth, ovate, lanceolate, striate, margins undulate, base concave, sheathing the stem, fringed on one side with a line of hairs—peduncle pubescent—flower terminal—involucrum cordate, acute, enclosing two or more flowers—pedicel smooth, very short—calyx three segments, alternate with the petals—corolla bright blue—petals three, equal, ovate, margins undulate—nectaries three, erect—stamens three—filaments recurved—anthers sagittate—style longer than the stamens—stigma very small.
Though this plant is frequently confused with C. tuberosa it is proved to be decidedly distinct, Mr. Sweet having obligingly informed the author that he has carefully compared the two species, and thus confirmed the opinions of Rœmer et Schultz, and other botanists on the Continent, where the distinction is now generally adopted. This species, which has a larger and lighter coloured flower, longer and narrower leaves, than C. tuberosa, is a native of Mexico, and was introduced into this country in 1813: it has been generally treated as a green-house plant, but it will grow perfectly well in the open air, though from the fleshy nature of the roots it is necessary to take them up in winter, and treat them in the same manner as Dahlias. C. crassifolia is the only species besides the two above mentioned, suitable for the flower garden.
Pl. 47.