The review summarizes the progress achieved in the revision of the Indian species of Commelinaceae and analyses how far the synthetic approach coupled with orthodox taxonomy has helped to clarify the many ambiguities prevalent in the family. Cytotaxonomic studies have definitely contributed to a proper understanding of such genera asCommelina, Cyanotis(sensu lato) andPollia, and also the various ‘species complexes’ in the above genera, though the evidence is not as forthright with reference toAneilemaandMurdannia.In the genusCommelina, polyploidy has played a rather prominent role in speciation, and intra‐specific aneuploidy is relatively of minor significance. The main evolutionary trend follows the pattern with predominantlyx= 15 for a majority of both the Indian and African species and even though a few African species do exhibitx= 14, this basic number is infrequent and at any rate not encountered in any of the Indian species analysed so far. In sharp contrast to this, in the genusCyanotis, both inter‐ and intra‐specific polyploidy is very much restricted, but judging from the recent trends both in Indian and African populations, intra‐specific aneuploidy has to be reckoned as a factor for further speciation within the genus. All the Indian species ofCyanotisanalysed so far share a common basic numberx= 12, but nevertheless there is an increasing evidence of secondary basic numbers such as,x= 8, 11 and 13 in at least a few random populations involving three species ofCyanotis. Moreover, both taxonomic and cytological data favour the splitting up ofCyanotis(sensu lato) into three distinct genera,AmischophacelusHolla Rao et Kammathy,BelosynapsisHassk. andCyanotisD. Don (sensu stricto).There is ample data to justify the separationof MurdanniaRoyle fromAneilema(sensu lato). The evolutionary trend inMurdanniaseems to follow two different patterns, one with a basic number ofx= 10 and the other withx= 6, both the patterns probably arising from a common extinct ancestor withx= 5. Preliminary observations on the Indian species ofAneilemaR.Br, (sensu stricto) suggest a basic number ofx= 14 (7?) in sharp contrast tox= 13, widely prevalent in a majority of the African species ofAneilema. InMurdanniaandAneilema, polyploidy and also aneuploidy are quite common and these two genera offer a fertile field for further study.There does not seem to be any justification for the separation ofAclisiafromPollia. InStreptolirion, intraspecific aneuploidy coupled with structural differentiation of chromosomes Seems to be responsible for further evolution of new varieties within the species. Cytological data favour the retentionof Floscopain tribe Tradescantieae rather than in Commelineae where Brückner has placed it.The various species complexes that had baffled the taxonomists especially inCommelina, CyanotisandMurdanniahave been critically analysed and their affinities clarified, on the basis of the present observations and study, 80 species under ten genera have so far been established, representing the Indian s