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Chinese Plant Names | Family List | Commelinaceae | Commelina

4. Commelina benghalensis Linnaeus, Sp. Pl. 1: 41. 1753.
[nom. cons.]

饭包草 fan bao cao

Description from Flora of China

Commelina cavaleriei H. Léveillé.

Herbs perennial. Stems mostly creeping, ascending distally, diffuse, numerous branched, to 70 cm, sparsely pubescent. Leaf sheaths sparsely hirsute-ciliate; petiole distinct; leaf blade ovate, 3--7 × 1.5--3.5 cm, subglabrous. Involucral bracts borne opposite leaves, often several, aggregated at apex of branches, very shortly stalked, funnelform, 0.8--1.2 cm, sparsely hairy, proximal margins connate, apex acute or obtuse. Proximal branch of cincinni with elongate peduncle and 1--3 exserted, infertile flowers, distal branch longer, with several included, fertile flowers. Sepals ca. 2 mm, membranous. Petals blue, 3--5 mm. Capsule ellipsoid, 4--6 mm, 3-valved; posterior valve 1-seeded or seedless, indehiscent; other 2 valves each 2-seeded, dehiscent. Seeds black, cylindric or semicylindric, ca. 2 mm, rugose, irregularly reticulate, truncate at 1 end. Fl. summer to autumn.

A medicinal herb with febrifugal, anti-inflammatory, and diuretic effects.

Wet places; near sea level to 2300 m. Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Hainan, Hebei, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shaanxi, Shandong, Sichuan, Taiwan, Yunnan, Zhejiang [tropical and subtropical Africa and Asia].


 

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