Commelinaceae is a family of flowering plants. In less formal contexts, the group is referred to as the dayflower family or spiderwort family. It is one of five families in the order Commelinales and by far the largest of these with about 731 known species in 41 genera. Well known genera include Commelina (dayflowers) and Tradescantia (spiderworts). Plants in the Commelinaceae are usually perennials, but a smaller number of species are annuals. They are always terrestrial except for plants in the genus Cochliostema, which are epiphytes. Plants typically have an erect or scrambling but ascending habit, often spreading by rooting at the nodes or by stolons. Some have rhizomes, and the genera Streptolirion, Aetheolirion, and some species of Spatholirion are climbers. The roots are either fibrous or form tubers. Learn more about Dayflower and spiderwort
View all family groups for: Plant
Dayflower and Spiderwort Species Videos
View All Dayflower and Spiderwort Videos
Common Name | Scientific Name | Conservation Status |
Commelina (2 videos) | Commelina tuberosa | Not Available |
Common Water-hyacinth (41 videos) | Eichhornia crassipes | Not Available |
Ohio Spiderwort (1 videos) | Tradescantia ohiensis | Not Available |
Spiderwort (4 videos) | Tradescantia occidentalis | Not Available |