Day Flower, Asiatic dayflower
Commelina communis
Family: Commelinaceae
What it is like
Commelina communis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.8
Where it is found
Partly shaded grassy places, cultivated fields and roadsides usually in moist places all over Japan.
E. Asia - S. China, Japan, India.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
Native distribution includes East Asia and Southeast Asia including China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, the Russian Far East, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. Within China it is found in all provinces except Qinghai, Hainan, Xinjiang, and Tibet. Introduced to Europe and eastern North America. Now found from Central Europe well into western Russia. Present in Ontario and Quebec in Canada, and in most of the eastern and central American states from Massachusetts and New York in the northeast, west to Minnesota and south through the Great Plains to Texas and east to extreme northern Florida in the United States.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Leaves, flowers and young shoots - raw or cooked. Chopped finely and added to salads or cooked as a potherb. A sweet taste with a mucilaginous texture.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The leaves are depurative, diuretic and febrifuge. Used as a throat gargle to relieve sore throats and tonsilitis. A decoction of the dried plant is used to treat bleeding, diarrhoea, fever etc. Extracts of the plant show antibacterial activity.
Antibacterial: Kills bacteria.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Depurative: Eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood.
Diuretic: Acts on the kidneys, promoting the flow of urine.
Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.
Other
Rating: 1
A bright blue dye is obtained from the petals.
Dye: Plants that provide dyes.
How it is grown
Prefers a light well-drained loam with added leafmold. Requires a sheltered position. This species is commonly cultivated as a vegetable in China. The plant can be invasive, the stems sprawling along the ground and rooting as they go.
Propagating it: Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 5 weeks at 20°c. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring. Make sure that each portion has at least one growing bud. Cuttings during the growing season. Very easy.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 6-9
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
This plant can be weedy or invasive. Introduced to central and southeastern Europe and eastern North America where it has spread to become a noxious weed.
Its other names
Local names
Asiatic Dayflower, Day Flower, A tor, Danzhuye, Duck's tongue plant, Gangi gadda, Kannang keeray, Miandazi, Rau trai, Spider wort, Thai lai trang, Yashecao, Zhuyecao,