Commelina erecta, commonly known as Blousel Blommetjie,white mouth dayflower, slender dayflower, or widow's tears[1], is a perennial herb native throughout the Americas, Africa and western Asia.
Commelina e. is a perennial flower recognized by its two large blue petals and smaller third petal[5]. Due to its three petal arrangement it is botanically recognized as a monocot[6]. The two larger blue petals are located at the top of the plant with the third white petal in between and below them. The full flower is three-quarters to one and a quarter inches across[7]. Each flower only lasts for a Day earning it the nickname the Dayflower. However, the buds on the plant may bloom 3-4 days apart increasing the individual's time in blossom[5].
Enantiostyly of C. erecta flower
Between the petals are the Staminoide, central stamen, lateral stamen, and style. Commelina e. exhibits Enantiostyly meaning the flowers have two morphs that are mirror images of each other where the style points either left or right[8]. However Enantiostyly makes up only two of the three polymorphs of this flower. The third polymorph is a male flower that completely lacks the style[8].
Leaves
C. erecta Spathe and flower
The leaves are lance-linear with a pointed apex and round base. The margins or edges of the leaf may be red. The leaves form sheaths around the stem with small hairs at their bases. All of the leaves have parallel longitudinal venation.[9]
Below the flower are both its sepals and spathe. The spathe structure is made up of a leaf that grows folded in half lengthwise below the site of floral growth. This leaf is sealed from its apex to stem leaving only an opening at the top for the flower to emerge. The bract is covered in small short hairs.[7]
C. erecta growing laterally
Stems
Commelina e. grows laterally across the ground reaching up to three feet long, yet it may grow vertically if structurally supported by another plant.[5] The stems are generally rough, but can occasionally be smooth and form many branches.[7]
Fruit
Commelina e. forms a three carpellate fruit. Meaning it has three ovules and may form a seed from each ovule.[10]
C. erecta typically blooms in North America from May to October. It grows best in partial shade in dry sandy soil. C. erecta can be grown by seed or by transplanting tubers.[17]C. erecta is widely considered a weed across its domain and can be invasive so planting should be done carefully.[16]
Taxonomy and Naming
C. erecta has seven 'children' including different varieties, formae, and subspecies. The subspecies are Commelina erecta subsp. erecta, Commelina erecta subsp. livingstonii, and Commelina erecta subsp. maritima. The variants are Commelina erecta var. angustifolia (Michx.) and Commelina erecta var. deamiana. Finally, the forma Commelina erecta f. dielsii (Herter) Bacig and Commelina erecta f. roseopurpurea (Herter) Bacig.[1]
Due to its wide geographical range it has many common names across different languages. In Uruguay it is known as Yerba de Santa Lucı́.[18]C. erecta's preferred common name Blousel Blommetjie is Afrikaans.[19]
↑ Lloyd-Reilley, J. & Maher, S. D. & Kadin, E. (2002). ERECT DAYFLOWER Commelina erecta var. angustifolia (Michx.) Fern. [PDF]. United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_coera.pdf
1 2 Lloyd-Reilley, J. & Maher, S. D. & Kadin, E. (2002). ERECT DAYFLOWER Commelina erecta var. angustifolia (Michx.) Fern. [PDF]. United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_coera.pdf
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