Commelina africana flower

The yellow flowers of Commelina africana are borne in stalked, boat-shaped spathes.

Two of the three kidney-shaped petals of each flower are stalked, yellow and well developed. The third, lower one is small, scale-like and lacking in colour.

Only the lower three of the six stamens are fertile, the filaments smooth. Flower diameter is between 1 cm and 1,5 cm. The plant in picture may be C. africana var. barberae.

Flowering happens from spring to autumn, sometimes all year round. Flowers are mainly open in the morning. Pollination is done by insects, mainly by ants.

Most Commelina species bear blue flowers (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Manning, 2009; ww.plantzafrica.com).