Georgia Invasive Species Task Force

Tropical spiderwort

Commelina benghalensis L.

Evans, C.W., C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead & G.K. Douce. 2005. Invasive Weeds in Georgia. The Bugwood Network, The University of Georgia.

Tropical spiderwort, also called Benghal dayflower, is an annual or perennial creeping herb that has both above and underground flowers. Leaves are alternate, lily-like and often have reddish hairs towards the tip. Aboveground flowers are lilac to blue in color and very small, usually with larger petals. Below ground flowers, which grow on burrowing rhizomes, are white and very small. Fruits are capsules containing two seeds.

Tropical spiderwort is widespread throughout the world and has been found in the warmer regions of the Southeast and California. It is sparse but locally common in southern Georgia.

Tropical spiderwort invades areas with moist soil, especially crop fields and pastures, but can also invade roadsides, grasslands and other disturbed areas. Tropical spiderwort reproduces by stolons, rooting at the nodes of stems, and by seeds. One plant can produce as much as 1600 seeds. It forms dense pure stands which can smother other plants, especially low-growing crops, leading to its inclusion on the federal noxious weed list. It can tolerate flooding, often rooting in saturated soils; but also can be found on drier upland sites.

Tropical spiderwort is a federal noxious weed, any occurrence should be promptly reported.

Recommended herbicides for control:
Foliar spray – Command, Spartan, or combination of both

Photo by Stanley Culpepper, UGA