Commelina erecta Linnaeus var. erecta . Common name: Erect Dayflower. Phenology: Jun-Oct. Habitat: Dry openings and woodlands, especially in thin soil around rock outcrops, streambanks, riverbanks, mesic forests. Distribution: PA west to MO and e. KS, south to FL and TX; also apparently in Central and South America.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, ETx1, F, G, GrPl, Il, Tat, Brashier (1966); > Commelina elegans Kunth — S, S13, Tx; < Commelina erecta L. var. angustifolia (Michx.) Fernald — FNA22, K4, Mi, Mo1, NY, Pa, RAB, Tn, Va, W, WH3, Faden (1993), Tucker (1989); > Commelina erecta L. var. angustifolia (Michx.) Fernald — S, S13; > Commelina erecta L. var. erecta — Tx; > Commelina saxicola Small — S13; > Commelina swingleana Nash — S13. Basionym: Commelina erecta L. var. angustifolia (Michx.) Fernald 1753
Links to other floras: < Commelina erecta - FNA22
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Great Plains: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Midwest: FAC (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
- Northcentral & Northeast: UPL (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)
Heliophily ⓘ: 8
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© Carol Ann McCormick | Original Image ⭷
© Alan Weakley source | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect or ascending perennial of dry openings and woodlands, especially in thin soil around rock outcrops, streambanks, riverbanks and mesic forests.
Stems: Stems simple or forking, slender, succulent, usually hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, widely spreading, sessile with the base of the leaf enclosing the stem in a small sheath fringed with white hairs, 4-6 in. long and smooth,.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers single or in small clusters, 3/4-1 1/4 in. wide, consisting of 2 round blue (rarely white) petals with one very small white petal in the middle, 3 purple and 3 yellow stamens (one of the latter with a notably larger, butterfly-shaped anther), and a pistil with a slender style; below the flower is a folded, leafy bract 1-1½ inches long. Flowers open in morning and wither by afternoon.
Fruits: Fruit a small 3-celled capsule.
Comments: Similar to Common Dayflower (Commelina communis), an Old World species with sprawling stems that form mats by rooting at the leaf nodes and is found in moist disturbed areas.
Height: up to 2 ft.
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: Erect or ascending perennial of dry openings and woodlands, especially in thin soil around rock outcrops, streambanks, riverbanks and mesic forests.
stems: Stems simple or forking, slender, succulent, usually hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate, widely spreading, sessile with the base of the leaf enclosing the stem in a small sheath fringed with white hairs, 4-6 in. long and smooth,.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers single or in small clusters, 3/4-1 1/4 in. wide, consisting of 2 round blue (rarely white) petals with one very small white petal in the middle, 3 purple and 3 yellow stamens (one of the latter with a notably larger, butterfly-shaped anther), and a pistil with a slender style; below the flower is a folded, leafy bract 1-1½ inches long. Flowers open in morning and wither by afternoon.
fruits: Fruit a small 3-celled capsule.
comments: Similar to Common Dayflower (Commelina communis), an Old World species with sprawling stems that form mats by rooting at the leaf nodes and is found in moist disturbed areas.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range:
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