Commelina virginica
virginia dayflower
Family
Commelinaceae
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Attachment
sheathing
Leaf Margin
entire
Leaf Type
simple
Leaf Shape
elliptic, lanceolate
Growth Form
forb
Flower Color
blue, purple
Flower Petals
3
Flower Month
May - October
Height (meters)
0.2 - 1.2
Milky Sap
No
Armed/Unarmed
Unarmed
Origin
native
Lifespan
perennial
Growing Season
Warm season
Wetland Class
FACW
Wetland Coefficient of Conservatism
5
Prairie Coefficient of Conservatism
2
Field Characters
The leaf sheaths are heavily covered with red hairs at the throat and down the open edge.
Cultural Information
Can be invasive when cultivated.
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
Found in low woods in Louisiana and east Texas.
Habitat
Low moist woods.