''Commelina ensifolia'', commonly known as scurvy weed, scurvy grass or wandering Jew, is an annual herb native to

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous country, and the most populous democracy in the world. Bounded by the Indian Ocean on the so ...

, and

Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (, ; si, ශ්‍රී ලංකා, Śrī Laṅkā, translit-std=ISO (); ta, இலங்கை, Ilaṅkai, translit-std=ISO ()), formerly known as Ceylon and officially the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, is an ...

. The species grows as a prostrate herb, producing roots from the stem at the nodes. Flowers are bright blue with three petals, however one petal is much smaller than the others, often producing an appearance of two petals. The species prefers moist soils, but has a broad natural range, extending from coastal monsoon forest to the arid central deserts where it grows as an ephemeral following favourable rains. The species has been eaten as a green vegetable by Aboriginals. European settlers also ate the plant to prevent

scurvy Scurvy is a disease resulting from a lack of vitamin C (ascorbic acid). Early symptoms of deficiency include weakness, feeling tired and sore arms and legs. Without treatment, decreased red blood cells, gum disease, changes to hair, and bleeding ...

, giving rise the common name of scurvy grass. The species is a minor weed in some parts of its natural range.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q15558511 ensifolia Leaf vegetables Flora of the Northern Territory Flora of Queensland Flora of New South Wales Flora of India (region) Flora of Sri Lanka Plants described in 1810 Taxa named by Robert Brown (botanist, born 1773)