Commelina communis

asiatic dayflower, common dayflower
Family

Commelinaceae

Leaf Arrangement

alternate

Leaf Attachment

sheathing

Leaf Margin

ciliate

Leaf Type

simple

Leaf Shape

lanceolate, ovate

Growth Form

forb

Flower Color

blue, purple, white

Flower Month

May - October

Height (meters)

0.1 - 0.8

Milky Sap

No

Armed/Unarmed

Unarmed

Origin

introduced

Lifespan

annual

Growing Season

Warm season


Wetland Class

FAC

Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism

0

Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism

-1

Cultural Information

The seeds of this species showed a slight increase in germination after stratification (Yamada 1954).

Animal Use

The following information for the genus Commelina: Animals that eat its seeds: Mourning dove, Bobwhite quail, Redwing blackbird, Cardinal. Animals that eat the plant: White-tailed deer (Martin et al. 1951).

Natural History

A common garden weed that is found on stream banks and in low thickets throughout Louisiana and east Texas.

Habitat

Low moist woods, riverbanks, and waste places. Moist or shaded ground.