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Marcus, Joseph A.
Tinantia anomala
Tinantia anomala (Torr.) C.B. Clarke
False Dayflower, Widows Tears
Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)
Synonym(s): Commelina anomala, Commelinantia anomala, Tradescantia anomala
USDA Symbol: TIAN
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Clearly related to the commelinas and spiderworts, Tinantia anomala is an erect annual native to central Texas in the United States and Durango in northern Mexico, with flowers made up of two large lavender-blue petals and one small white petal. Its semi-succulent, grass-like leaves emerge in late fall and remain green throughout the cold months. It grows rapidly in early spring and blooms mid-spring, attracting bumblebees. A few weeks later, its seeds draw squirrels and turkeys. This entire cycle is usually completed by summer, when the plant has usually turned yellow and limp and the fastidious gardener may want to cut it back. Great for naturalizing in a woodland garden, where it can colonize to form a bright green winter groundcover.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Margin: Entire
Leaf Apex: Acuminate , Acute
Inflorescence: Raceme
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 32 inches tall.
Leaf: Light yellowish green or yellowish blue-green
Fruit: Grayish brown
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Mar , Apr , May , Jun
Bloom Notes: Blooms normally a muted but somehow glowing lavender, normally appearing mid-spring to early summer.
Distribution
USA: TXNative Distribution: Central Texas and Durango, northern Mexico
Native Habitat: Limestone gravel, among boulders and in crevices in ravines and on open, wooded slopes and floodplains in dappled shade
Growing Conditions
Water Use: Low , MediumLight Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Alkaline (pH>7.2)
Soil Description: Loose, calcareous woodland soil rich in humus, often with limestone rocks.
Conditions Comments: Becomes stressed in continuous full sun, burning easily and turning yellow.
Benefit
Use Ornamental: A good spring annual for shade, with subtle, purply-blue flowers and grass-like foliage.Use Wildlife: Flowers attract bees. Seeds eaten by squirrels and turkeys.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds
Deer Resistant: No
Propagation
Propagation Material: SeedsDescription: Sow seed in fall in moist, well-drained soil. Plants will self-sow. Also transplants very easily.
Maintenance: For neatness, cut back when starts to turn yellow and limp in early summer.
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center - Austin, TX
Texas Master Naturalists - Lost Pines Chapter - Bastrop, TX
Herbarium Specimen(s)
NPSOT 0504 Collected Apr. 7, 1992 in Bexar County by Lottie MillsapsNPSOT 0824 Collected Mar 12, 1994 in Bexar County by Harry Cliffe
Wildflower Center Seed Bank
LBJWC-1014 Collected 2007-04-16 in Hays County by Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower CenterBibliography
Bibref 318 - Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. WasowskiBibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Tinantia anomala in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Tinantia anomala in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tinantia anomala
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-03-21Research By: DEW, JSC, ADA, JMS, GDG