Slender Day-Flower, Whitemouth dayflower
Commelina erecta

Family: Commelinaceae

What it is like

Commelina erecta is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. 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): 1.2

Where it is found

Loamy or sandy soils or rocky slopes in woods and openings.

South-eastern N. America - Pennsylvania to Florida and Texas.

Conservation Status:

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

Root. Fleshy.

Root: includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating:

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

Prefers a light well-drained loam with added leafmold. Succeeds in an ordinary, reasonably moist soil in a sunny position with some shelter. A polymorphic plant. This species is not very winter hardy, the roots are best dug up in autumn and stored like dahlias in a cool frost free place and then planted out in spring. When grown in a light well-drained soil and mulched well, the roots usually survive the winter outdoors. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is rhizomatous with underground stems sending roots and shoots along their length.

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: Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Habit: Perennial

Hardiness: 8-11

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

C. hirtella.