Swamp Dayflower

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Swamp Dayflower

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Trithyrocarpus polyspatha
• Commelina donii
• Commelina paludosa f. pedunculata
• Commelina polyspatha

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, Commelina paludosa, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Commelinales and the family Commelinaceae. Ultimately, it is situated within the genus Commelina.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several specific regions of East Asia. In China, its distribution extends through the South-Central and Southeast territories. It is also documented growing within the high-altitude landscapes of Tibet. Moving eastward, the species can be found inhabiting the Nansei-shoto islands. Finally, the plant's natural habitat includes the island of Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Commelina paludosa is characterized by its significant adaptability to varying altitudinal gradients, allowing it to inhabit a broad range of montane and lowland environments. The species demonstrates a wide vertical distribution, with its presence recorded from low-lying areas at a minimum elevation of 100 m AMSL to high-altitude habitats reaching a maximum elevation of 2800 m AMSL. Given that its mean elevational range is centered at 2800 m AMSL, the species shows a particular ecological affinity for higher elevations within this extensive span. This wide elevational tolerance suggests that the plant can navigate diverse microclimates and environmental conditions across a vast topographical spectrum.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Commelina paludosa is characterized by its status as a perennial organism, ensuring its presence within its ecological niche over multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the plant is classified as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to or just above the soil surface. This specific growth habit, categorized under both chamaephyte classifications, allows the species to persist through varying environmental conditions by maintaining its vital reproductive and vegetative structures at a low profile near the ground level.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Commelina paludosa is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, functioning as a self-supporting plant rather than a climber. It exhibits a versatile ecological habit, ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic to terrestrial environments, and exists as an independent organism without parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As a terrestrial herb, the plant maintains a relatively low stature, reaching a maximum plant height of approximately 0.3 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Activities

Commelina paludosa has 3 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Antipyretic.

Antibacterial

1. Ayu

Antioxidant

1. Ayu

Antipyretic

1. Ayu

Conditions

Commelina paludosa has 2 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diarrhea, pyrexia.

Diarrhea

1. Ayu

Pyrexia

1. Ayu

Preparations

Commelina paludosa has 3 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include chloroform [CCP], ethanol [ECP], n-hexane [NHCP].

Chloroform [ccp]

1. Ayu

Ethanol [ecp]

1. Ayu

N-hexane [nhcp]

1. Ayu