Commelinaceae

plural noun

Com·​me·​li·​na·​ce·​ae

ˌkämələ̇ˈnāsēˌē

: a large widely distributed family of herbaceous plants (order Xyridales) that have perfect flowers with a distinct calyx and corolla and upper leaves shaped like a spathe and that comprise the spiderworts see commelina, tradescantia

commelinaceous

¦kämələ̇¦nāshəs

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Commelina, type genus + -aceae

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