Contains 5 genera and 28 accepted taxa overall.
This family is completely databased for all specimens.
Characteristics
COMMELINACEAE
Monocot
-
Classification
COMMELINALES
COMMELINACEAE
Genera
Genus | Common Name | Taxa Count | Herbarium Specimens | Photos |
---|---|---|---|---|
Callisia | 6 | |||
Commelina | DAYFLOWER | 9 | ||
Gibasis | BRIDALVEIL | 1 | ||
Murdannia | DEWFLOWER | 3 | ||
Tradescantia | SPIDERWORT | 9 |
Identification Key
1. Inflorescence subtended by conspicuous spathaceous bracts, cupped or folded around the inflorescence base
2
1. Inflorescence bracts inconspicuous or inflorescence subtended by open, typical leaves
3
2. Spathaceous inflorescence bracts generally ovate, often strongly folded, distinctly dissimilar from cauline leaves; petals all blue, orange, or 2 blue and 1 white, clawed, blades sometimes unequal, blade of larger petals usually broadly ovate to suborbicular; 3 fertile stamens, 3 staminodes, filaments glabrous
2. Spathaceous inflorescence bracts elongate, the base of the bract cupped at the base of the inflorescence, the bracts very similar to the cauline leaves; petals pink, purple, bluish-pink, bluish-purple, or white, not clawed or rarely so, equal, blade lanceolate, ovate, to broadly ovate; 6 fertile stamens, filaments usually bearded
3. Sepals externally purplish, petaloid; anthers poricidal; seeds arillate
3. Sepal externally green, not petaloid; anthers dehiscing longitudinally; seeds not arillate
4
4. Flowers sessile or subsessile; ovary and capsule 2–3-locular
4. Flowers distinctly pedicellate; ovary and capsule 3-locular
5
5. Petals white; fertile stamens 6, staminodes absent
5. Petals pale pink to dark pink; fertile stamens 2-3, staminodes 3-4