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Go to MAP 40.7476227275, -73.911960125 Jul 14, 2016 - 10:30 AM
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day flower #spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.750085, -73.909793 Aug 29, 2015 - 11:36 PM
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#spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 42.374728, -71.11367 Sep 09, 2014 - 5:59 PM
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#spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 38.934763, -77.053725 Aug 21, 2014 - 6:59 PM
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#spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.662, -73.989 Aug 09, 2014 - 6:10 PM
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#spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.730137, -73.93283 Aug 07, 2014 - 10:17 PM
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#spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.741713, -73.944612 Aug 05, 2014 - 11:19 PM
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#spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.730297, -73.932755 Aug 05, 2014 - 10:58 PM
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My first time spotting the beautiful blue Asiat... Go to MAP 39.9490954197, -83.0058288574 Jun 15, 2014 - 5:31 PM
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#manhattansup #spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.673194, -74.008821 Jul 08, 2013 - 8:24 PM
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#manhattansup #spontaneousurbanplants Go to MAP 40.687352, -73.99842 Jul 08, 2013 - 9:47 PM
Commelina communis
Asiatic Dayflower

Botanical description: Found along the margins of freshwater wetlands, ponds, in parks and gardens, asiatic dayflower is disturbance adapted and a first colonizer of bare ground. It is often spotted in relatively shady, damp places as opposed to many other species in the urban flora hot and dry microclimates. It is a striking specimen when it flowers - with two bright, clear blue petals on top and a smaller semi-translucent white petal which falls below the two “ears” with bright yellow and brown stamens protruding from the center. The dayflower, as its name suggests, expresses the most ephemeral of qualities in that each flower is only open for one day - although they are produced from summer until autumn. Its two to three foot long succulent-like stems can root at nodes as they touch the ground, allowing it to move laterally from parent plants but the stems quickly liquefy upon first frost. Commelina is also fast to generate from seed, especially with ample moisture. Commelina communis employs insect mimicry to entice prospective pollinators, attracting over twelve different species of bees, beetles, moths and bugs. Current research suggests that asiatic dayflower may bio-accumulate metals such as zinc, lead and cadmium, as the plant has been seen growing on copper mine spoils in China.
Indexed
11
Place of Origin
Asia