Widow’s Tears, Day Flower, Whitemouth Dayflower
Commelina erecta var. angustifolia (Michx.) Fern.
Family :Commelinaceae
Longevity : Perennial
Origin :Native
Season :Warm
Narrowleaf Dayflower can be found growing in various soil types of the South Texas Plains and the Edwards Plateau. It blooms from June to October with two large blue petals, one small colorless petal and three yellow stamens. It has long narrow tapering leaves and stems that often bend down and trail on the ground. Narrowleaf Dayflower can be told apart from Erect Dayflower by the leaves which are much longer than they are wide, over five times longer. When the spathe of this plant is squeezed it produces a drop of liquid, hence the name Widow’s Tears. Narrowleaf 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 Narrowleaf dayflower.
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