Rat’s Ear (Commelina forskaolii): A Little-Known Forb in Florida Gardens
If you’ve stumbled across the name rat’s ear while researching plants for your Florida garden, you might be wondering what exactly this unusual-sounding plant is all about. Commelina forskaolii, commonly known as rat’s ear, is a somewhat mysterious member of the spiderwort family that has quietly made its home in the Sunshine State.
What Exactly Is Rat’s Ear?
Rat’s ear is a forb—basically a fancy botanical term for a non-woody plant that isn’t a grass or tree. Think of it as an herbaceous plant that lacks the thick, woody stems you’d find on shrubs or trees. This particular species can be either annual (living for just one growing season) or perennial (coming back year after year), which gives it some flexibility in how it approaches life in the garden.
As a member of the Commelina genus, rat’s ear is related to the more familiar spiderworts and dayflowers, though it remains much less studied and understood than its popular cousins.
Where You’ll Find It
Currently, Commelina forskaolii has been documented growing in Florida, where it has established itself as a non-native species. This plant didn’t originally call Florida home, but it has managed to naturalize and reproduce on its own without human intervention.
The Native Plant Perspective
Here’s where things get a bit tricky from a native gardening standpoint. Since rat’s ear is non-native to Florida, it doesn’t provide the same ecological benefits that indigenous plants offer to local wildlife, pollinators, and the broader ecosystem. While we don’t have definitive information about whether it’s invasive or problematic, its ability to reproduce spontaneously in the wild does raise some questions about its potential impact.
For gardeners committed to supporting native ecosystems, there are fantastic native alternatives to consider instead. Florida boasts numerous beautiful native wildflowers and forbs that would be much better choices for supporting local biodiversity.
Should You Grow Rat’s Ear?
The honest answer is that there’s still a lot we don’t know about Commelina forskaolii. Limited research means we’re missing key information about:
- Its preferred growing conditions
- How it looks throughout its growing season
- Whether it provides any benefits to pollinators or wildlife
- Its potential to become problematic in natural areas
- Specific care requirements
Given these unknowns, most gardeners would be better served by choosing well-studied native plants that offer clear benefits to their local ecosystem.
Better Native Alternatives
If you’re drawn to the idea of growing forbs in your Florida garden, consider these native options instead:
- Native Commelina species like Virginia dayflower
- Wild bergamot and other native mints
- Florida’s incredible variety of native wildflowers
- Indigenous grasses and sedges that support local wildlife
The Bottom Line
While rat’s ear might sound intriguing, the lack of available information about Commelina forskaolii makes it a questionable choice for most gardeners. Without knowing its full impact on local ecosystems or its specific growing requirements, you’re essentially conducting an experiment in your garden.
Instead, why not explore the incredible diversity of Florida’s native plant community? You’ll find plenty of fascinating, well-documented species that will thrive in your local conditions while supporting the birds, butterflies, and other wildlife that call Florida home. Your garden—and your local ecosystem—will thank you for it.
