Speading Dayflower (Commelina Diffusa)
Commelinaceae (Spiderwort family)
Group: Monocot
Annual monocot which looks similar to a broadleaf plant (dicot), native of Asia. It prefers moist or wet areas in cultivated fields and other non-crop areas.
Leaves are alternate, lance shaped, pointed at the apex and rounded or widest near the base, parallel veined, with no petiole, and have a closed sheath at the base. Leaf margin is fringed with fine hair.
Stem is initially erect at the seedling stage but later become branched, lying flat on the ground with tips pointing upward, smooth, and rooting at nodes. Nodes are swollen making them look jointed. Stems and leaves are thick and fleshy.
Flower is solitary, has 3 blue petals and 5 anthers. The 2 side petals are larger than the other. Flower is protected by sheathing leaves. Flowers only last for a day. Fruit is a dry capsule and seeds are brown or reddish.
Root is fibrous.
Propagation is by seed, but it can be easily be propagated by stem fragments that root at nodes.
(Seedling)