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Botanical Family · Commelinales

Commelinaceae

Spiderwort Family

41 speciesOrder Commelinales8+ well-known plants

The dayflower family of succulent herbs found in moist tropical and subtropical habitats. Flowers last only a single day and typically have 3 petals, often with attractive blue, violet, or white colouration. Includes wandering jew (Tradescantia) and spiderwort. Stems are usually jointed and fleshy.

Browse all 41 species ↓
Representative COMMELINACEAE specimen
Representative specimen · Commelinaceae
Key pattern

Succulent, often purple-tinged stems with sharply folded, parallel-veined leaves; 3-petaled flowers, two petals larger than the third.

The leaves and stems have a distinctly mucilaginous, slippery texture when crushed — similar to the unrelated Mallow family.

Identify the species

Which Commelinaceae species is this?

Answer what you can see and narrow it down to a single Commelinaceae species.

Click a node to trace its path · pinch or scroll to zoom · drag to pan
Flower ColorWhat color are the flowers?
Blue
Purple/pink
White
Leaf PatternIs there a distinctive color pattern on the leaves?
Hairy/woolly
Plain green
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Creeping/trailing herb
Herb
Upright tufted herb
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Climbing vine
Creeping/trailing herb
Herb
Upright tufted herb
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Herb
Succulent
Upright tufted herb
Leaf PatternIs there a distinctive color pattern on the leaves?
Plain green
Solid purple
Leaf PatternIs there a distinctive color pattern on the leaves?
Hairy/woolly
Plain green
HabitWhat is the plant's growth habit?
Creeping/trailing herb
Herb
Shrub
Upright tufted herb

How to recognise the Commelinaceae family

  • 01

    Jointed, fleshy stems

  • 02

    3-petalled flowers lasting one day

  • 03

    Sheathing leaf bases; often glaucous

Typical leaf characters

Characters typical of the family — individual species can vary.

Typical flower & fruit

Typical of the family — flowering plants only; species can vary.

Notable members

False Bromeliad PlantCallisia fragransCreeping Inch PlantCallisia repensGarden Commelina, DayflowerCommelina benghalensisWillow-Leaved Day-FlowerCommelina clavataClimbing Day Flower, Creeping DayflowerCommelina diffusaWhitemouth DayflowerCommelina erectaRat's-EarCommelina forskalaeiIndian DayflowerCommelina hasskarlii

All 41 species in COMMELINACEAE

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