Native Plants
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.
Loughmiller, Campbell and Lynn
Commelina dianthifolia
Commelina dianthifolia Delile
Bird-bill Dayflower, Birdbill Dayflower
Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: CODI4
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Only partial erect, the succulent stems of this dayflower are branched profusely. Bright-green leaves are long and narrow. Flowers with 3 broad purple or blue petals protruding from a broad folded spathe atop a leaning or erect, branched stem with narrow leaves. Showy, blue three-petaled flowers occur singly or in clusters at branch ends and from leaf axils. Each flower is open a single morning. The plant is usually no taller than 10 in.
Dayflowers are so named because a single flower appears outside the leaf-like bract every few days, opening near dawn and wilting by midday.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Fruit:
Size Class: 0-1 ft.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: BlueBloom Time: Jul , Aug , Sep
Distribution
USA: AZ , CO , NM , TXNative Distribution: W. TX, NM, AZ & Mex.
Native Habitat: Rocky, woodland openings
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist, rocky soils.
Conditions Comments: Not Available
Propagation
Description: Propagate by seed.Seed Collection: Not Available
Seed Treatment: Not Available
Commercially Avail: yes
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1222 Collected 2008-09-25 in Jeff Davis County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterAdditional resources
USDA: Find Commelina dianthifolia in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Commelina dianthifolia in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Commelina dianthifolia
Metadata
Record Modified: 2007-01-01Research By: TWC Staff