2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Commelina (Latin Commelina) - flowering annual, biennial or perennial from the Kommelinov family.
Description
Commeline is a flowering annual or perennial that looks very much like Tradescantia. The height of this beauty usually varies from ten centimeters to half a meter.
Some varieties of commeline are equipped with tuberous roots from which annual shoots branch off, while other varieties lack such roots - their evergreen shoots simply spread effectively on the ground and take root in small nodules.
Commeline stalks are in most cases smooth, but at the same time rather branched, while they can be both ascending and erect. The pointed leaves of this plant are characterized by an ovate-lanceolate shape, and on their lower sides near the bases there are short sparse hairs and membranous sheaths.
Commeline inflorescences usually sit on thin pedicels and are located in the very axils of the upper leaves, while each inflorescence is securely closed by a bracts until the very moment of its blooming. Commeline flowers open early in the morning and wither during the same day. At the same time, fading petals do not dry out, but take on the appearance of a gelatinous, low-decorative mass. Each flower has three petals, while two of them are invariably larger and boast a brighter color. Near the bases, these petals taper, and they are usually painted blue, although sometimes pink or white petals are also found. Commeline bloom usually begins in July, and this splendor lasts until September.
The genus Commeline has about two hundred species.
Where grows
The homeland of the commeline is considered to be Asia and South Africa, as well as South, Central and North America. And now it can be found mainly in Africa, Eurasia, Japan, China, as well as South and North America. This beauty feels especially good in subtropical and tropical zones.
Usage
Most varieties of commelin are very successfully grown as ornamental plants.
Some types of commelina have found their application in folk medicine - as a rule, herb is most often used for medicinal purposes. Decoctions based on this herb are endowed with the ability to suppress and inhibit the development of Staphylococcus aureus, and also boast a pronounced diuretic effect. Also, a decoction based on commeline is used for angina, tracheitis, dropsy, dysentery, epidemic colds, infectious inflammation of the urinary tract, enterocolitis and a wide variety of heart ailments. By the way, fresh commeline herb is also used as a plaster - it is preliminarily crushed to obtain a mushy mass and is used to treat barley and festering wounds. The juice of this beauty will also come in handy - it will serve well for snake bites and various tumors. And the roots of some varieties of this plant (including the common commeline) are edible, that is, they can be safely eaten!
Growing and caring
Commeline is usually planted in well-heated sunny areas with a moderate moisture regime and well-drained soils (ideally, garden soils).
For the winter, it is customary to dig out a beautiful commeline - its nodules easily freeze out even with additional shelters. So in the conditions of the middle zone, it practically does not hibernate, however, sometimes there are rare exceptions. And commeline reproduces either with the help of seeds or by dividing the rhizomes.
