Commelina benghalensis, commonly known as the Benghal dayflower, tropical spiderwort, or wandering Jew, kanshira in Bengali, is a perennial herb native to tropical Asia and Africa. It has been widely introduced to areas outside its native range, including to the neotropics, Hawaii, the West Indies and to both coasts of North America. It flowers from spring into the fall and is often associated with disturbed soils.[+]
In both it native range and areas where it has been introduced it is usually considered a weed, sometimes a serious one. In the United States it has been placed on the Federal Noxious Weed List. It is considered a moderate weed of rice cultivation in Asia. In its native range of sub-Saharan Africa, India, Sri Lanka, and much of Southeast Asia, it is considered a serious weed of an enormous range of crops from tea and coffee to cassava and peanuts. Additional agricultural damage is caused by the fact that it can host the nematode Meloidogyne incognita and the Groundnut rosette virus.
In China it is used as a medicinal herb that is said to have diuretic, febrifugal and anti-inflammatory effects, while in Pakistan it is used to cure swellings of the skin, leprosy and as a laxative.
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) under a palm tree on Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Al Rabiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Node on a stem of Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) on Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Al Rabiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Blue flower of Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) on Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Al Rabiya Street, Doha, Qatar
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) taken from a shady place under a palm at Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Majlis Al Taawon Street, Doha, Qatar
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) with boat-shaped bracts taken from Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Majlis Al Taawon Street, Doha, Qatar
Close up of a blue flower of Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) taken from Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Majlis Al Taawon Street, Doha, Qatar
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) on white background taken from Al Rabiya Street in Al Jebailat area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, May 7, 2015 Majlis Al Taawon Street, Doha, Qatar
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) on a lawn under trees near HSM Villa on Al Eithar Street in Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, August 19, 2015 United Nations St, Doha, Qatar
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) taken from a lawn under trees near HSM Villa on Al Eithar Street in Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, October 20, 2015
Blooming Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) taken from a lawn under trees near HSM Villa on Al Eithar Street in Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, October 20, 2015
Flowers of Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) on a lawn in shade near HSM Villa on Al Eithar Street in Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, December 1, 2015 HSM Villa, 2, Doha, Qatar
Benghal dayflower (tropical spiderwort, Commelina benghalensis) on a lawn in shade near HSM Villa on Al Eithar Street in Onaiza area near West Bay. Doha, Qatar, December 1, 2015 HSM Villa, 2, Doha, Qatar