Native Plant Database

Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

Search native plant database:
Name:    
Family:    


Marcus, Joseph A. (Austin, TX)

Commelina erecta L.

Whitemouth dayflower, Widow's tears, Day flower, White-mouth dayflower

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

USDA Symbol: COER

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The soft, jointed stems of this perennial grow upright only if supported by other plants. Usually they lie on the ground and grow up to 3 ft. long. The ephemeral flowers, about 1 in. across, have two larger, showy, blue petals and one much smaller white petal. Flowers with 2 large, ear-like, blue petals and one smaller petal bloom in small clusters, in a bract, at the top of several erect branches. They only bloom for a day, but there are several buds on a plant that open 3-4 days apart. The principal leaves are linear to somewhat lance-shaped.

This is a highly variable species. The Spanish name means herb of the (cooked) chicken.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 1-3 ft.
Size Notes: 6-18

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Blue
Bloom Time: May , Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct

Distribution

USA: AL , AZ , AR , CO , DE , FL , GA , IL , IN , IA , KS , KY , LA , MD , MI , MN , MS , MO , NE , NJ , NM , NY , NC , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , WV , WI , WY , DC
Native Distribution: FL to NM, n. to NJ, OH, IL & s. SD
Native Habitat: Open pinelands; dry scrub & woods
USDA Native Status: L48(N), PR(N), VI(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Dry
Soil Description: Dry, sandy soils.
Conditions Comments: Commelina erecta can be grown from seed or transplanted tubers. Its flower is a beautiful medium blue, most frequently seen in spring or fall but occasionally occuring in July and August. It is well suited to naturalized mass plantings in meadows or by wooded areas; beware that the plant can become invasive. This is a variable species, particularly in regards to the size and shape of the leaves. This variation has led to segregation as species or varieties by some authorities.
Texas comments: Day flower is well suited to naturalized mass plantings in meadows or by wooded areas. It can be grown from seed or transplanted tubers. Beware this plant can become invasive.

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: None

Propagation

Propagation Material: Tubers
Description: Not Available
Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Please support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Pineywoods Native Plant Center - Nacogdoches, TX
Sibley Nature Center - Midland, TX
Brackenridge Field Laboratory - Austin, TX
Stengl Biological Research Station - Smithville, TX
* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
Shinners & Mahler's Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas (1999) Diggs, G. M.; B. L. Lipscomb; B. O'Kennon; W. F...
Texas Wildflowers: A Field Guide (1984) Loughmiller, C. & L. Loughmiller
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
* Wildflowers of the Texas Hill Country (1989) Enquist, M.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Commelina erecta in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Commelina erecta in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Commelina erecta

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-02-15
Research By: NPC, GDB

Go back