• Korean Journal of Plant Taxonomy
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.58-65
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• 2011

Commelina benghalensis L. and Commelina diffusa Burm. f. belonging to Commelinaceae, two species previously unrecorded as Korean flora, were collected in the lowlands of Jeju Island in Korea. Commelina benghalensis of the two species is different from others of Commelinaceae in Korea by having funnelform spathes fused at the proximal margin of involucral bracts and cleistogamous flowers. In addition, Commelina diffusa differ from others by having a three-valve capsule and lanceolate and a base cordate or rounded spathelike involucral bracts. The somatic chromosome number of Commelina benghalensis was 2n = 2x = 22 and the sizes of chromosomes were very small, ranging from 1.25 to 2.70 ${\mu}m$. However, the Commelina diffusa chromosome number exceeded 2n = ca. 100, and a precise count could not be obtained. These species are known to be distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia and Africa below the latitude of Jeju Island of Korea.