COMMELINACEAE
Morphological description
Herbs, usually with creeping stem; sometimes a climber (Spatholirion).
Leaves
Leaves simple, spiral, entire, sheathing at base.
Inflorescence
Inflorescence cymose. Inflorescence opposite leaf base (Amischotolype).
Flowers
Flower usually actinomorphic, stamens 6, filaments hairy, ovary superior.
Fruit
Fruit a few-seeded capsule. Fruits blue shining (Aclisia)
Different from: Gramineae: leaves ligulate, perianth of bristles and scales.
Distribution: The family worldwide. In Malesia 10 native genera and several with naturalized species only. Commelina (pantropical), creeping herbs of usually wet places; Amischotolype (paleotropical), creeping herbs, forest floor.
Notes: Several species cultivated as ornamentals: Rhoeo and Zebrina.
Literature: C.A. Backer & R.C. Bakhuizen van den Brink, Fl. Java 3 (1968) 12-22; J.P.M. Brennan, Bot. J. Linn. Soc. 59 (1966) 349-370.
Spot characters (Van Balgooy): Commelinaceae 72, 91, 104 - Aclisia (Pollia) 93 - Amischotolype (Forrestia) 70 - Commelina benghalensis 75 - Spatholirion 5.
Illustrations: Fig. 50. Amischotolype marginata (Blume) Hassk. (Commelinaceae). Reproduced from J. J. Ochse & R.C. Bakhuizen van den Brink, Vegetables of the Dutch East Indies (1980) fig. 69. Fig. 51. Murdannia nudiflora (L.) Brenan (Commelinaceae). Reproduced from C.A. Backer & D.F. van Slooten, Geillustreerd Handboek der Javaansche Theeonkruiden (1924) t. 88.
Image in PhytoImages for Commelinaceae