Dayflower

(Commelina spp.)

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

colony of plants ▲

flowering stems ▲▼

▲▼ colony of flowering plants

flowering plants▲▼

flowering plants▲▼

flowers▲▼

Dayflower:  (p. 24 in Weeds of the Northeast, not in Weeds of the Great Plains)

·                     a summer annual, but some species may act as a perennial here, with creeping roots and stems rooting at the nodes

·                     has light-green, alternate, oval-pointed leaves with parallel veins (is a monocot) in the Spiderwort (Commelinaceae) Family

·                     flowers are small, deep blue in the axils of the leaves

·                     reproduces by seed and vegetative means

·                     prefers moist, fertile soil—gardens, cultivated fields—but also will grow on roadsides, non-crop areas

·                     has sprawling growth habit—long stems can create a tangled web in gardens, flower beds

·                     related to the houseplants—wandering jew, inch plant—and the native perennial spiderwort

·                     some non-native species are very invasive in other parts of the U.S. (not in Missouri, yet)