by CMG Betty J
Dayflower Blossom
Erect Dayflower: The Erect Dayflower, Commelina erecta, is a perennial member of the spiderwort family that grows in most habitats in the Hill Country. It produces clusters of buds on the end of erect stems. The buds open in the morning and close early in the day. The individual flowers appear bright blue, about one inch across with three petals: two obvious blue petalsand one rather inconspicuous white petal. The three stamens are bright yellow. Its leaves are about six inches long and one and a half inches wide and are a bit rough to the touch. As the name implies, the stems grow erect at first and then bend and trail as they get taller.
Dayflower Leaves
Dayflowers can be grown from seed or transplanted tubers and are available commercially. They work well as a mass planting in a meadow or a wooded area but can become invasive. Commelina is a highly variable species in terms of the size and shape of the leaves. The common name of Commelina erecta is Widow’s Tears because if the flower is squeezed gently a small drop of liquid is released. Their bloom time extends from May to October. They attract birds and are not deer resistant.
Dayflower Cluster