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Uses

Edible uses

Notes

Tubers - cooked. Rich in starch, but with a fairly bland flavour. Edible leaves[1].

Leaves

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Commelina virginica.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

There are no medicinal uses listed for Commelina virginica.

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 5 weeks at 20°c[2]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.

Division in early spring. Make sure that each portion has at least one growing bud[111, K].

Cuttings during the growing season. Very easy[3].

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Commelina virginica. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Prefers a light fairly dry well-drained loam with added leafmold[4]. Prefers a sunny position with some shelter[2].

Plants are not very winter hardy in Britain, the roots are best dug up in autumn and stored like dahlias in a cool frost free place[5]. When grown in a light well-drained soil and mulched well, the roots usually survive the winter outdoors.

The roots of this plant do not seem to be tuberous, the plant seems to be more like an annual[K].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Commelina virginica. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Commelina virginica.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Commelina virginica
Genus
Commelina
Family
Commelinaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
?
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    ?
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    References

    1. ? 1.01.1 Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing (1976-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. (1990-00-00)
    3. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    4. ? Grey. C. H. Hardy Bulbs. Williams & Norgate. (1938-00-00)
    5. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    6. ? Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. (1950-00-00)
    7. ? Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named PFAFimport-235
    8. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)

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