Asiatic dayflower
Family
CommelinaceaeScientific Name
Commelina communis
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Commelina communis var. ludens
Commelina communis var. communis
Commelina willdenowii
Commelina debilis
Habit
Produced from July through September
Leaves
Leaves are alternate and oval to lance shaped. They are 3-12 cm long and 16 to 40 mm wide. Leaves do not have stalks and clasp the stem. The sheath is 1 to 2 cm long and has hairs at the base. The flower has a spathe that is on a stalk is 8 - 35 mm long and opposite the leaf. The spathe is 1.5 to 3 cm long. Leaves tend to be wider and longer than climbing dayflower.
Identifying Characteristics
Leaves have parallel veins, are fleshy, and have blue flowers. The lower third flower is usually white, unlike the third flower in climbing dayflower.
Flower Seed Head
Flower has two larger blue petals above and one smaller white petal below
Seed Fruit
Fruit are 2-celled capsules, usually with two seeds per cell. Seeds are 2.5-4.5 mm long, brown, pitted flat on one side and rounded on the other.
Where Found
Asiatic dayflower is primarily a weed of landscapes and field and container nurseries. Usually found growing on moist, rich soil in shady areas. It does not tolerate cultivation or mowing
Growth Habit
prostrate and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
blue
Flower Symmetry
not symmetrical
Leaf Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
lance,
oval
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
none
Stem Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
round or oval
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
fibrous
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb