Dayflower

Dayflower

Commelina spp.

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

colony of plants ▲

flowering stems ▲ ▼

▲ ▼ colony of flowering plants

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Dayflower:

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)
common dayflower species in Missouri: Asiatic Dayflower (Commelina communis), Spreading Dayflower (Commelina diffusa) and Erect Dayflower (Commelina erecta)