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Asiatic dayflower

Asiatic dayflower - Commelina communis L.

Family: Commelinaceae – Spiderwort family
Life cycle: Annual
Native status: Introduced from eastern Asia
Habitat: Gardens, crop fields. Prefers moist areas.

General description: Prostrate or semi-erect growth habit, stems reaching lengths of 1 to 3 feet. Hairless, glossy alternate leaves with parallel veins. The base of the leaf blade clasps the stem with a membranous sheath. Flowers over an extended period; however, individual flowers last a single day.

Key ID traits: Glossy leaves with parallel veins and a sheath that wraps around the stem. Flowers have two blue, circular petals that have been compared to Mickey Mouse ears.

Similar species: Bengal dayflower is a similar species that is a problem in the Southeast U.S. Wandering jew is a houseplant in the spiderwort family with a similar growth habit. The growth habit and leaf shape of Asiatic dayflower are similar to those of Pennsylvania smartweed and other smartweeds, and at casual glance, the leaf sheath can resemble an ochrea, so some people mistake A. dayflower for smartweed.

Miscellaneous: Asiatic dayflower is tolerant of glyphosate, and it first caused problems in crop fields following the introduction of glyphosate-resistant soybean. The name comes from the flower petals, which typically last only one day. A third, much smaller white petal is found under the two blue petals.

Asiatic dayflower
Asiatic dayflower has glabrous, lanceolate leaves with parallel veins.

lanceolate

leaves attached to stems with a sheath
Leaves attach to stems with a sheath rather than a petiole.  This is a trait dayflower shares with grasses and other monocots.
asiatic dayflower
Asiatic dayflower has two large blue petals on top and a single, smaller white petal underneath. The flowers are short-lived, hence the name dayflower. The plant is sometimes called the Mickey Mouse plant due to the blue petals resembling mouse ears.
Authored by:
Bob Hartzler
Bob Hartzler
  • Retired Weed Scientist and Professor of Agronomy
Dr. Bob Hartzler is a former professor of agronomy and a former extension weed specialist with a Ph.D. in Crop Physiology from Iowa State University. He conducted research on weed biology and how it impacts the efficacy of weed management programs in corn and soybean. Dr. Hartzler also taught undergraduate classes in weed science and weed identification.
Meaghan Anderson
Meaghan Anderson
  • Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist serving nine counties in central Iowa and an extension specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Areas of expertise include weed management, weed biology, cover crops, corn and soybean management, and integrated pest management.

Meaghan holds a bachelor's degree in agronomy and a master's degree in crop production and physiology (focus: weed science) from Iowa State University.
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