Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis, Sp. Pl.: 40 (1753))

Family: Commelinaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 40 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Commelina

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: E. Europe to Japan and Indo-China

Description

The Asiatic dayflower, scientifically known as Commelina communis, is a widespread plant belonging to the Commelinaceae family. Named by the eminent botanist Carl Linnaeus in his seminal work, “Species Plantarum,” published in 1753, this plant has captured the interest of botanists and gardeners alike.

The Asiatic dayflower thrives across a broad geographical range, extending from Eastern Europe through Japan and reaching as far as Indo-China. This extensive distribution attests to the plant’s adaptability and resilience in diverse environmental conditions.

Characterized by its vibrant blue petals, the Asiatic dayflower typically blooms for just one day, which is reflected in its common name. These ephemeral yet striking flowers often captivate plant enthusiasts, making them a popular subject of study and cultivation. The leaves are often linear to lanceolate, adding to the plant’s delicate yet robust appearance.

This hardy plant often occupies moist, shaded areas but can also tolerate varying soil types, contributing to its widespread occurrence. Its presence is noted not just for its aesthetic appeal but also for its potential medicinal and ecological benefits, further enhancing its significance in various cultures and regions it inhabits.

In summary, Commelina communis or the Asiatic dayflower is a remarkable species with a rich historical and geographical footprint. Its unique, fleeting blossoms and adaptability make it a subject of continued interest and admiration in the world of botany.

Common Names

Eng: asiatic dayflower, common dayflower
Ita: erba miseria asiatica
Deu: gewöhnliche commeline, gewöhnliche commeline, g. tagblume
Lit: paprastoji komelina
Hun: azúrkék kommelína
Ces: křížatka obecná
Swe: liten himmelsblomma
Lav: parast
Nld: gewone commelina
Fra: comméline commune, commélyne commune
En: Asiatic dayflower, COMMON DAYFLOWER, Dayflower, Wandering Jew
Ar: وعلان شائع
Az: Adi kommelina
Bn: চিত্রপত্রী
Bg: Обикновена комелина
Zh: 鴨跖草, 鸭跖草
Cs: Křížatka obecná
Nl: Gewone commelina
Et: Harilik kommeliin
Fi: Rikkasoljo
Fr: Comméline commune, Misère asiatique, Commélyne commune
Ka: Ტყის ჭორტანა
De: Gewöhnliche Commeline, Gewöhnliche Commeline, G. Tagblume, Gewöhnliche Commelina, G. Tagblume
Hu: Azúrkék kommelína
It: Erba Miseria asiatica, Miseria
Kn: ಕನ್ನೆಸೊಪ್ಪು
Ko: 닭의장풀
Lv: Parast
Lt: Paprastoji komelina
Ru: Коммелина обыкновенная
Sk: Podenka obyčajná
Sv: Liten himmelsblomma
Zh-tw: 鴨跖草
Zh-hant: 鴨跖草
Tr: Asya gün çiçeği

Synonyms

Distribution

• Altay (native)
• Amur (native)
• Buryatiya (native)
• Cambodia (native)
• Central European Rus (native)
• China North-Central (native)
• China South-Central (native)
• China Southeast (native)
• Chita (native)
• East European Russia (native)
• Hainan (native)
• Inner Mongolia (native)
• Irkutsk (native)
• Japan (native)
• Kamchatka (native)
• Khabarovsk (native)
• Korea (native)
• Kuril Is. (native)
• Laos (native)
• Manchuria (native)
• Myanmar (native)
• Nansei-shoto (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Primorye (native)
• Sakhalin (native)
• South European Russi (native)
• Taiwan (native)
• Thailand (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Vietnam (native)
• Alabama (introduced)
• Albania (introduced)
• Arkansas (introduced)
• Austria (introduced)
• Bulgaria (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Delaware (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Georgia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Indiana (introduced)
• Iowa (introduced)
• Italy (introduced)
• Kansas (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Krym (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Michigan (introduced)
• Minnesota (introduced)
• Mississippi (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• Nebraska (introduced)
• New Hampshire (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• North Dakota (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Oklahoma (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Portugal (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• Romania (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• South Dakota (introduced)
• Spain (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Vermont (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Aug 10, 2020 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2021 by 道草 (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 1, 2017 by Mio Cri (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 1, 2018 by Roberto Dessì (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Naomi Warren (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 25, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Ник Елена (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Bethany Bethany Fast (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 3, 2019 by Randall Benson (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Pierluigi Polese (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2021 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 18, 2022 by Fabrice Rubio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 28, 2021 by Ник Елена (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 20, 2019 by Kramar Klemen (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Oct 1, 2020 by Franco Colnago (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 5, 2021 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 22, 2019 by MandyNadja (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2017 by Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Sep 19, 2020 by R Altaïr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 15, 2001 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Nov 15, 2012 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)

Taken Sep 1, 2017 by Llandrich anna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 20, 2011 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Sep 7, 2019 by Bénard Tremblay Milo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 9, 2018 by Hélène SCHIELLEIN (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 5, 2021 by Kandiace Kandiace Armstrong (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2022 by Frederick Henderson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Pedro Díaz González (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:319150-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2764179)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Commelina communis L.)

Specifications

Growth