Widow’s Tears, Day Flower, Whitemouth Dayflower
Commelina erecta L. var. erecta
Family :Commelinaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin :Native
Season :Warm
Erect dayflower reaches heights of six to eighteen inches, and then usually bends over to trail to a length of approximately three feet. It blooms from May to October with two large blue petals, one small colorless petal and three yellow stamens. This forb can be found in the Edwards Plateau and South Texas Plains regions. When the spathe of this plant is squeezed it produces a drop of liquid, hence the name Widow’s Tears. Erect dayflower is an important food for white-tailed deer, who consume the leaves and stems. The seeds are eaten by bobwhite quail, white-winged doves and mourning doves. Cattle also eat Erect dayflower.
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