Blue Spider Wort, Commelina
Commelina coelestis
Family: Commelinaceae
What it is like
Commelina coelestis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) by 0.3 m (1ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Not known
Southern N. America - Mexico.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Tubers - cooked. Starchy. The plant forms a clump of thin finger-shaped roots about 7 - 10cm long. These are easily harvested, though overall yields are low. The roots have a fairly bland flavour and an acceptable texture. By no means a favourite root crop, but acceptable in small quantities.
Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Prefers a light well-drained loam with added leafmold and a warm sunny position. Established plants are drought tolerant. A very ornamental plant, it is not very winter hardy in Britain so the roots are best dug up in autumn and stored like dahlias in a cool frost free place. When grown in a light well-drained soil and mulched well, the roots usually survive the winter outdoors, at least in the milder areas of the country. This plant is very attractive to slugs.
Propagating it: Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 5 weeks at 20°c. Prick the seedlings out into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and plant out in late spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring. The root clump consists of a number of finger-shaped roots joined together at their tops. When dividing this, it is important to ensure that each division has at least one growing bud at the top. Pot up the divisions and grow them on in a greenhouse or cold frame until they are established and then plant them out in late spring, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings during the growing season. These root very easily.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist