Cyanotis cristata (L.) D.Don

Herbs annual; roots fibrous. Stems creeping, often branched, 10--35 cm. Leaves all cauline; leaf blade oblong, lanceolate, ovate-lanceolate, or narrowly elliptic, 2--8 × 0.8--2 cm, abaxially glabrous or sparsely arachnoid. Cincinni often solitary, terminal or also axillary if 2 together; peduncle absent or to 9 cm; bracts 1--1.5 cm. Sepals connate at base, linear-lanceolate or oblanceolate, ca. 5 mm, abaxially hirsute along midvein and at margin. Petals blue or purple, 4--5 mm. Filaments blue lanate. Capsule columnar, trigonous, ca. 2.5 mm, hirsutulous at apex. Seeds gray-brown, pitted. Fl. Jul--Aug, fr. Sep--Oct.

A tropical plant. It grows by streams in ravines or open humid places from near sea level to 2000 m in southern China. It is best in a rich, well-drained soil. It needs a protected, shaded position. It is damaged by drought or frost.

The young leaves and tips are steamed and eaten.

It can be grown from cuttings.