Cyanotis somaliensis explained

Cyanotis somaliensis, pussy ears, is a species of flowering plant in the family Commelinaceae, described in 1895. It is endemic to Somalia in East Africa.[1] [2] [3] [4] Growing to 12cm (05inches) tall by 50cm (20inches) broad, it is an evergreen perennial with hairy, slightly succulent leaves and, in summer, three-lobed blue or purple flowers which resemble those of Tradescantia, a closely related genus.

This plant is valued for its ornamental properties. In temperate regions it must be grown under glass, as it does not tolerate temperatures below 10C. It has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[5] It prefers rather dry conditions in bright light.[6]

Notes and References

  1. http://apps.kew.org/wcsp/namedetail.do?name_id=235434 Kew World Checklist of Selected Plant Families
  2. Thulin, M. (ed.) (2006). Flora of Somalia 3: 1-626. The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
  3. https://archive.today/20130801225929/http://www.aluka.org/action/showMetadata?doi=10.5555/AL.AP.FLORA.FLOTA014295&pgs= Aluka entry
  4. http://data.gbif.org/species/15376374/ GBIF entry
  5. Web site: Cyanotis somaliensis . www.rhs.org . Royal Horticultural Society . 5 May 2020.
  6. Web site: Cyanotis somaliensis . 12 June 2018 . World of Succulents . 12 May 2020.