SafePlants

Commelina communis: Asiatic Dayflower

Commelina communis, commonly known as Asiatic dayflower or simply dayflower, is an herbaceous annual plant belonging to the dayflower family. Other species in the Commelina genus are sometimes referred to as "widow's tears".

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

• Scientific Name: Commelina communis
• Common Names: Asiatic dayflower, dayflower
• Commelina is a genus encompassing approximately 170 species.
• Commelina benghalensis L. is also known as Benghal dayflower, jio, tropical spiderwort, hairy wandering jew, and Indian.

Distribution and Habitat

• The Asiatic dayflower is found in gardens.
• Commelina communis grows throughout the Piedmont region.

Ecological Role

• Commelina communis can be an invasive plant.
• Commelina diffusa is identified as spreading.
• Commelina benghalensis is recognized as an increasingly problematic weed and is on the Federal Noxious Weed List.

Morphological Characteristics

• Asiatic dayflower is a creeper, growing to approximately 30-90 cm in length.
• The plant can be erect or sprawl across the ground like a vine, reaching about 1-3' long.
• It has round, smooth, and hairless stems.
• C. diffusa is a smooth and sparsely hairy annual or perennial herb with creeping stems ascending above and branching below, and easily roots at the nodes.
• Flowers are blue with two conspicuous petals.

Growth Habits

• Commelina communis is a perennial, growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
• It is hardy to zone (UK) 7.
• It flowers from July to September, with seeds ripening from August onwards.

Interactions with Other Organisms

• Erect dayflower is considered a preferred food source for white-tailed deer.

Quirky Facts

• Dayflowers are so named because their flowers typically bloom for only one day.