Commelina mascarenica C.B.Clarke

Extinction risk predictions for the world's flowering plants to support their conservation (2024). Bachman, S.P., Brown, M.J.M., Leão, T.C.C., Lughadha, E.N., Walker, B.E. https://nph.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/nph.19592

Conservation

Predicted extinction risk: not threatened. Confidence: confident

M. Thulin et al. Flora of Somalia, Vol. 1-4 [updated 2008] https://plants.jstor.org/collection/FLOS

Morphology General Habit

Perennial with thin roots; shoots erect or scrambling, to 2 m

Morphology Leaves

Leaves distichous, sheaths 1.2–3 cm long, puberulous or with a line of pubescence, glabrous to ciliolate at the apex, blade lanceolate-elliptic to lanceolate or ovate, 3.5–13 x 0.7–3.5 cm, apex acuminate, base cordate to rounded or amplexicaul, upper surface scabrous, lower puberulous to glabrescent

Morphology Reproductive morphology Inflorescences Bracts Spathe

Spathes solitary on at least apically puberulous 1.5–5 cm long peduncles, not at all to distinctly falcate, 1.5–3 x 0.8–1.5 cm, puberulous, apex acute to acuminate, margins fused basally; upper cincinnus usually present, 1-flowered, lower cincinnus c. 4-flowered

Morphology Reproductive morphology Flowers

Flowers bisexual and male; sepals free, all petals blue; lateral stamens with blue anthers, medial stamen anther yellow, sometimes tinged with blue

Morphology Reproductive morphology Fruits

Capsules ± stipitate, oblong, constricted in the middle, 6–10 x 4–5.5 mm, dorsal cell striate, indehiscent, 1-seeded, ventral cells (0–)2-seeded

Morphology Reproductive morphology Seeds

Seeds of ventral cells transversely oblong to reniform, 3–4.3 x 1.5–2.1 mm, testa brown, smooth to alveolate or faintly transversely ribbed, farinose.

Distribution

S1–3; Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Comoro Is., Madagascar

Ecology

Altitude range 60–375 m.

Vernacular

Baar, baar maroodi (Somali).

Note

This plant is Commelina sp. D of Upland Kenya Wild Flowers. It closely resembles C. imberbis Ehrenb. ex Hassk. of Ethiopia and inland Kenya and is best recognized by its nearly smooth seeds.