Commelina communis

Species category

Weed

Common name

Asiatic dayflower

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

Triangular

Size

  • Length 3–4.4 mm
  • Width 2.2–2.6 mm
  • Thickness 1–1.2 mm

Color

Brown

Texture

ScabrousScabrous:
Rough to the touch, covered with minute points of very short, stiff hairs.
in lateral rows

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
on the side margin

Identification notes

A rib on the center of the flat side extends from the base to near the apexApical:
The distal end of the fruit or seed away from the point of attachment or attachment scar.
.

Noxious weed seed categories

Not listed

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Commelinaceae

Valid name

Commelina communis L.

Synonyms

Commelina communis L. var. communis
Commelina communis L. var. ludens (Miq.) C.B. Clarke 
Commelina debilis Ledeb.
Commelina willdenowii Kunth

 Commelina communis.  Seeds with a rib on the center of the flat side that extends from the base to near the apex. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Commelina communis. Seeds with a rib on the center of the flat side that extends from the base to near the apex. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Commelina communis.  Seeds are scabrous in lateral rows. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Commelina communis. Seeds are scabrous in lateral rows. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
 Commelina communis.  The hilum is on the side margin. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.
Commelina communis. The hilum is on the side margin. Photo by Julia Scher, USDA-APHIS-PPQ.