COMMELINACEAE - Spiderwort Family
Perennial herbs with succulent stems, stems jointed
Leaves sheathing at base, alternate,
entire
Flowers bisexual, actinomorphic except for Commelina
50 genera, 700 species
Economic importance - ornamentals
Tradescantia - spiderwort
Commelina - dayflower, 2 large petals + 1 small petal
Rhoeo - also used in demos of chromosome preps.
Zebrina - wandering Jew
Diagnostic characteristics: herbs with succulent stems, leaves with closed
basal sheaths
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