Friday, March 16, 2012

Yellow Commelina (Commelina africana)

Yellow Commelina (Commelina africana) family Commelinaceae

 These tend to be a semi-erect trailing plant found in the warmer areas of SA.

 The leaves are stalkless and the flowers borne in boat-shaped spathes.

 Flowers open only during the sunlight hours and are about 5mm (1/2”) in diameter.

 It is used in traditional medicine (especially the roots) to treat various ailments including venereal disease, sterility as well as heart and bladder complaints.

 Young shoots and leaves are cooked as a green vegetable to which ground peanuts may be added as a condiment.

Information from: Wild flowers of South Africa by Braam van Wyk