The Invasive Species Commelina benghalensis L.: A Step Towards The Biological Flora of Egypt

Abstract

Invasive species Commelina benghalensis L. was investigated for its morphological, anatomical aspects. Ecological studies were carried out to explore the floristic composition of its community type and assess the factors that affect its invasion to the study area. Furthermore, proximate analysis, mineral composition, phytochemical screening and GC/MS analysis of secondary metabolites were studied to explore the nature of compounds present and evaluate its potential uses. Forty-seven weed species related to 21 families were recorded in C. benghalensis community type. Poaceae, Asteraceae and Brassicaceae were the most important families. Portulaca oleracea, Cyperus rotundus, Dactyloctenium aegyptium and Euphorbia heterophylla were the common associates. Therophytes were the most frequent life-form (78.7%). The chorological analysis showed the prevalence of paleotropical, cosmopolitan and Mediterranean taxa. A canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) indicated that pH, cations (calcium, potassium, sodium and magnesium), anions (bicarbonates, sulphates and chlorides), soil texture (sand, silt and clay) and organic matter were the most effective soil variables for the distribution of C. benghalensis and its associated species in the study area. The highest values of succulence and mean leaf surface area were recorded in mango orchards, while the highest shoot length and phytomass were registered in the habitats of crop fields. The results also indicated that this plant is a valuable source of nutritional, mineral and phytochemical compounds; hence it can be used as potential source of relatively low-cost, palatable forage for livestock and might be of a very important medicinal value and should be explored further to extract new drugs. It should not be included in the harmful weeds.