Cyanotis
(from kyanos, blue, and ous, an ear; alluding to the petals). SYN. Tonningia. ORD. Commelinaceae. A genus containing about thirty species of pretty stove or greenhouse plants, allied to Tradescantia. Flowers nearly regular; perianth segments six; exterior ones nearly equal, navicular, connate at base; inner three long, petaloid, connate by the claws. Leaves various, small or middle-sized, sheathing at the base. Cyanotis require a rich loamy soil, and good drainage. They are propagated chiefly by young cuttings, inserted in sandy soil, in brisk heat. Several species are enumerated. C. barbata (bearded). fl. dark blue; stamens with rather long, upright filaments, densely clothed with deep blue hairs. August. l. narrow. India, China, &c. Greenhouse perennial.
C. kewensis (Kew). fl. rose. Winter and spring. Malabar, 1874. Stove perennial creeper. SYN. Erythrotis Beddomei. (B. M. 6150.) C. nodiflora (knot-flowered). fl. purple. South Africa, 1864. l. entire, strap-shaped, ciliate, sheathing at the base. h. 9in. to 1 1/2ft. (B. M. 5471.)