Tufted perennial herb, sometimes shortly rhizomatous, to 25 cm tall, roots fibrous, shoots probably annual, unbranched to  densely branched, 5-30 cm long ascending to declinate, not rooting, internodes to 8 cm long puberulous to grabrescent. Leaves spiral to distichous, sheath to  1.3 cm long, sometimes flushed with purple, puberulous ciliate at the apex, blade sessile,linear-lanceolate, 3-10.5 x 0-3-0.6 cm, flat to completely involute, apex acuminate, base cuneate, upper surface usually glabrous. Flowers blue, yellow, or purple.

The fleshy stem is used to make people vomit when squeezed into the throat. It is better  and usefull in treatment of leprosy and nervous related disorders.

Chinese use the commelina infused, decocted,or cushed. They use all the plant. Cools the blood and stops bleeding, clears heat, quells fire; expels wind dampness, reduces swelling and infamation, Clear the lang and opens the chest; clears lower burner damp heat.