About Commelina ensifolia R.Br.
Commelina ensifolia R.Br. has common names including scurvy weed, scurvy grass, and wandering Jew. It is an annual herb native to Australia, India, and Sri Lanka. This species grows as a prostrate herb, and produces roots from its stem at the nodes. Its flowers are bright blue and have three petals, but one petal is much smaller than the other two, so the flower often looks like it only has two petals. The species prefers moist soil, but it has a broad natural distribution that ranges from coastal monsoon forest to the arid central deserts of Australia. In arid central deserts, it grows as an ephemeral after sufficient favourable rains. Aboriginal people have eaten this plant as a green vegetable. European settlers also ate the plant to prevent scurvy, which is how it got the common name scurvy grass. Within parts of its natural range, Commelina ensifolia is classified as a minor weed.
