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Asiatic Dayflower, Mouse Ears, Dew Herb - Commelina communis


Family: Commelinaceae - Spiderwort family Genus Common Name: Dayflower Native Status: Introduced
Commelina communis - Asiatic Dayflower, Mouse Ears, Dew Herb. The blossom of this member of the Spiderwort family lasts for one day. Introduced from its native Asia, it is considered weedy or invasive by some authorities, having spread widely throughout eastern North America.

Asian Dayflower can be confused with Commelina erecta - Slender Dayflower, a plant native to the United States. This latter plant has paler blue upper petals. The pedicel (flower stem) of Slender Dayflower rises from a spathe which is fused along the lower portion; the spathe is open all the way to the base in the Asiatic Dayflower.

Found in:
AL, AR, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV
Commelina communis

Distribution of Commelina communis in the United States and Canada:
Map unavailable.
Map courtesy of The Biota of North America Program.
Map color key

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Site: Walker County, GA Date: 2009-June-06Photographer: Gerald C Williamson
The shape and position of the upper 2 petals of Commelina communis give it the common name "Mouse Ears." The 3rd petal is white and much smaller, hidden here behind the pistils and stamens.
Commelina communis

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Commelina communis initially published on USWildflowers.com 2009-06-15; Updated 2017-03-02

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All content except USDA Plants Database map Copyright Gerald C. Williamson 2024
Photographs Copyright owned by the named photographer



Code Update 20230302