Commelina ensifolia

Commelina ensifolia
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Commelinales
Family:	Commelinaceae
Subfamily:	Commelinoideae
Tribe:	Commelineae
Genus:	Commelina
Species:	C. ensifolia
Binomial name
Commelina ensifolia R.Br.

Commelina ensifolia, commonly known as scurvy weed, scurvy grass or wandering Jew,^[1][2] is an annual herb native to Australia, India, and Sri Lanka.^[3]

The species grows as a prostrate herb, producing roots from the stem at the nodes.^[1] Flowers are bright blue with three petals, however one petal is much smaller than the others, often producing an appearance of two petals. The species prefers moist soils, but has a broad natural range, extending from coastal monsoon forest to the arid central deserts where it grows as an ephemeral following favourable rains.^[1][2][4] The species has been eaten as a green vegetable by Aboriginals. European settlers also ate the plant to prevent scurvy, giving rise the common name of scurvy grass.^[5]

The species is a minor weed in some parts of its natural range.^[6]

References