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 Asiatic Dayflower
Commelina communis
Classified as an
invasive weed
From
Missouri Plants
Stems - Erect to
variously ascending, internodes glabrous, somewhat pubescent and often rooting
at nodes, herbaceous.
Leaves - Alternate, entire, typically glabrous to scabrous above, glaucous
below, to +10cm long, +3cm wide, lanceolate. Base of blade forming a
sheath(ocrea) around stem.
Inflorescence - Axillary flowers emerging from folded bract (spathe). Spathe to
3cm long, green, margins separate all the way to the base.
Flowers - Corolla of 3 petals. Upper two petals blue-purple, to 15mm long. Lower
petal white, small, to 5mm long. Fertile stamens 3. Staminodes 3, with false
anthers. False anthers yellow with brownish center.
Flowering - May - October.
Habitat - Moist ground in waste places, lawns, disturbed sites, roadsides,
railroads.
Origin - Native to Asia.
Other info. - The genus name is in commemoration of two Dutch
botanists, Jan and Kaspar Commelin, who had a brother who died at an early age
and contributed nothing to botany. The three petals of the flower represent
these three brothers.
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