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Asiatic Dayflower
Commelina communis
41.6192, -73.4296
Field Notes
Description:
Reclining stems topped with deep blue-purple flowers. The flowers had a shimmering iridescence as well. The flowers protrude from a heart-shaped leaf-like bract and are only open for one day. They are sometimes called Mouse Flowers because of the rounded, ear-like upper petals. The leaves are long with pointed tips.
Habitat:
Spotted in a very anthropogenic habitat - on the edge of a wide path, in a semi-polluted ditch with trash all around. There were several of them growing together, and these gorgeous purple-blue flowers really stood out in this sad landscape.
Notes:
This is an invasive plant in the US. Asiatic daylilies have been used as medicine, food, and for their pigment. They typically grow in disturbed areas, and are considered a weed both in areas where they were introduced as well as in parts of their native range. Research suggests that the Asiatic dayflower can bioaccumulate a number of metals, which may make it an ideal candidate for revegetating and cleaning up copper mines.
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