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Commelina diffusa var. diffusa
Common Dayflower
Climbing Dayflower
Synonym(s): Commelina longicaulis
Not native to Florida
A frequent wildflower of moist hammocks, floodplain forests, stream banks and disturbed sites throughout much of Florida. The range includes the southeastern United States west into Texas to Kansas and north into Illinois to Vermont. Thought to be native to the Old World and introduced in the New World.
All three petals of C. diffusa are blue and often nearly equal in size. The spathe margins are free to the base and is distinctly falcate (sickle-shaped). Like other members of the Commelina genus, there are three fertile stamens and 3 infertile. Leaves are alternate, ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, to 8cm (3-1/4 in.) long with sheaths that are often ciliate.
Commelina diffusa is a member of the Commelinaceae - Spiderwort family.
Other species of the Commelina genus in the Wild Florida Photo database:
Commelina benghalensis - JIO
Commelina communis - ASIATIC DAYFLOWER
Commelina erecta - WHITEMOUTH DAYFLOWER
Commelina gambiae - GAMBIAN DAYFLOWER
Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants (Institute for Systemic Botany) profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Mar 29, 2020
