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Commelina dianthifolia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Birdbill dayflower

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Genus: Commelina
Species:
C. dianthifolia
Binomial name
Commelina dianthifolia

Commelina dianthifolia, known as the birdbill dayflower, is a perennial herb native to mountains in the south-western United States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) and northern Mexico.[2] Petals are blue while sepals are green. The inflorescence is a scorpioid cyme and it is subtended by a boat-like spathe.

Uses

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An infusion of plant used by Keres people as a strengthener for weakened tuberculosis patients.[3] The Ramah Navajo give a cold simple or compound infusion to livestock as an aphrodisiac.[4]

References

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  1. ^ NatureServe (2024). "Commelina dianthifolia". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  2. ^ Commelina dianthifolia Delile - PLANTS Profile. USDA Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  3. ^ Swank, George R. 1932 The Ethnobotany of the Acoma and Laguna Indians. University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis (p. 38)
  4. ^ Vestal, Paul A. 1952 The Ethnobotany of the Ramah Navaho. Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology 40(4):1-94 (p. 19)