Benghal dayflower
(Commelina benghalensis)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Appearance
Commelina benghalensis, or tropical spiderwort, is an annual or perennial, creeping herb that is on the Federal Noxious Weed List.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, lily-like, 1.2-2.8 in. (3-7 cm) long and often have reddish hairs towards the tip.
Flowers
Aboveground flowers are very small with relatively large lilac to blue petals and are present from the spring into the fall. Underground flowers, which grow on burrowing rhizomes, are white and very small.
Fruit
Fruits are ovoid capsules.
Ecological Threat
Commelina benghalensis invades areas with moist soil including roadsides, grasslands and other disturbed areas. It is especially problematic in pastures and crop fields where it forms dense, pure stands that can smother other plants such as low-growing crops. Commelina benghalensis is native to Asia and Africa and was first found in the United States in 1963.
Resources
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Federal Noxious Weed Inspection Guide - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Managing Tropical Spiderwort in Roundup Ready Cotton - University of Georgia
- Tropical Spiderwort Identification and Control in Georgia Field Crops - University of Georgia
- Tropical Spiderwort Identification and Control - University of Florida
- Pest Fact Sheet - North American Plant Protection Organization
- Commelina sp. Identification Key - Flora of North America
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Benghal Dayflower a.k.a. Tropical Spiderwort: A New Weed in North Carolina - NCDA & CS
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council - Watch list A
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 4
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
- South Carolina Plant Pest List
- Tennessee Noxious Weeds
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Lilianae |
| Order: Commelinales |
| Family: Commelinaceae |
| Genus: Commelina |
| Commelina benghalensis |
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.