Commelina mascarenica (Commelinaceae): an overlooked Malagasy species in Africa

Until 2006 Commelina mascarenica had been recorded with certainty only from Madagascar and the Comoro Islands. It is here reported also from Africa in Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. African specimens have been overlooked, misidentified as C. imberbis, or treated as a distinct but unnamed species. Commelina mascarenica is apparently most closely related to the African and Arabian peninsular species C. imberbis. A full description, illustration and the first chromosome number for C. mascarenica are provided.