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ERECT DAYFLOWER
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| File Size: 85 KB |
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Commelina erecta L.
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| Russell County, Kansas |
| Perennial |
| Height: 4-30 inches |
| Family: Commelinaceae - Spiderwort Family |
| Flowering Period: July, August, September |
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| Stems: | | Erect or decumbent, usually pubescent at nodes. | | Leaves: | | Alternate, simple, linear-lanceolate to ovate-elliptic, 1 to 4 inches long, 1/2 to 1 inch wide, glabrous or lightly pubescent, waxy; margins entire; tips pointed; basal sheaths conspicuous; margins fringed with whitish hairs. | | Inflorescences: | | Few-flowered clusters. | | Flowers: | | 3-parted; enclosed by spathes, 1/2 to 1 inch long, open across top but fused along back margin; upper 2 petals larger and blue; lower petal smaller and white; stamens 6, 3 fertile, 3 sterile. | | Fruits: | | Capsules, 3-celled; seeds smooth, brown, white-dotted. | | Habitat: | | Moist, sandy or rocky soils. | | Distribution: | | Throughout, but infrequent in northwest quarter of Kansas. | | Comments: | | The flowers bloom for only one day, wilting into a moist, blue mass after a few hours. The flower can last longer on cloudy days or in shady settings. The genus Commelina was named for members of the 18th century Dutch family Commelyn. The 2 upper petals are said to represent the 2 brothers who were famous botanists. The lower petal, almost unnoticeable, represents a third brother who died young, before accomplishing anything in botany. | | | | See commelina communis a closely related species. |
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| Erect dayflower spathes and leaves |  | | 126 KB | | Russell County, Kansas |
| | Erect dayflower stems and leaves |  | | 149 KB | | Russell County, Kansas |
| | Erect dayflower flower |  | | 78 KB | | Russell County, Kansas |
| | Erect dayflower stamens |  | | 105 KB | | Russell County, Kansas |
| | Erect dayflower |  | | 71 KB | | Riley County, Kansas |
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