Vascular Plants of the Gila Wilderness
Presented in Association with the
Western New Mexico University Department
of Natural Sciences
Commelina dianthifolia Delile
Commelina dianthifolia Delile var. filiformis M.E. Jones
Commelina dianthifilia Delile var. longispatha (Torrey) Brashier
Commelina linearis Bentham var. longispatha Torrey
Commelina dianthifolia can be identified by its 3 beautiful
blue petals which emerge from an enclosing bract called a spathe. The stem
is mostly erect and the leaves are linear-lanceolate. After the petals fall off, the remaining ovaries are completely contained within the spathe as they mature. The fruit is a capsule
containing five brown, irregularly ridged and pitted seeds. There are usually two capsules produced per spathe. Commelina dianathifolia is usually found at middle elevations in the shade underneath pines and junipers.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Commelina dianthifolia, photo Russ Kleinman, Pinos Altos Range, Pinos Altos, Sept. 3, 2007
Commelina dianthifolia, 2x macro of capsule and seeds, photo Russ Kleinman, Gomez Peak, Jan. 11, 2009
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