Virginia dayflower
Commelina virginica
Also known as
Dayflower
Virginia Dayflower - Commelina virginica, Leesylvania State Park, Woodbridge, Virginia by Judy Gallagher (CC BY 2.0)
Full Sun
Frost Hardy
H4
RHS hardiness
-10°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
3 years to reach maturity
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
More images of Virginia dayflower
Virginia dayflower Overview
Commelina virginica is a clumping, rhizomatous, perennial species commonly known by the name Virginia Dayflower because of their short flower lifespan. They are often grown as annuals, producing flowers one at a time, that last for a short time. Other species in this genus have fibrous roots, thus this species is interesting for its rhizome production. Rhizomes are plant stems that are modified to grow horizontally, typically under the soil surface, they possess the ability to grow roots and shoots to form a new plant, even if the connection to the main plant is severed. Thus whole new plants can grow from small rhizome fragments left in the soil. Many species that possess rhizomes are invasive and this is why they are so hard to eradicate. The flowers are small, 3-petalled, blue, saucer-shaped and encased in a spathe-like modified leaf structure. Flower structure is only symmetrical in one plane, with the petals differing in size and shape across the flower, with two larger top petals and a reduced lower petal.