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Commelina erecta angustifolia - (Michx.)Fernald.

Common Name Whitemouth Dayflower
Family Commelinaceae
USDA hardiness 8-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Rocky woods and hillsides, scrub oak woods, pine woods and barrens, sand dunes, hummocks, shale barrens, roadsides, railroad rights-of-way, fields, and occasionally a weed in cultivated ground[270].
Range Southern N. America.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (1 of 5)
Care (info)
Half Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Commelina erecta angustifolia Whitemouth Dayflower


Commelina erecta angustifolia Whitemouth Dayflower

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Commelina erecta angustifolia is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

C. angustifolia. Michx.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root
Edible Uses:

Tubers - cooked. Rich in starch[2, 105, 177], but with a fairly bland flavour.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Salve  Skin

Salve. The mucilaginous sap is used to ease skin irritations[72, 257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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FOOD FOREST PLANTS

Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a light well-drained loam with added leafmold[42]. This species is not very winter hardy, the roots are best dug up in autumn and stored like dahlias in a cool frost free place being planted out in spring[200]. When grown in a light well-drained soil and mulched well, the roots usually survive the winter outdoors[1]. This plant is possibly no more than a narrow-leafed form of the highly variable C. erecta[200]. Whilst some botanists recognise it as a variety of C. erecta, the Flora of North America does not accept varietal difference and merges it into the species[270].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Propagation

Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. The seed usually germinates in 4 - 5 weeks at 20°c[164]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots plant them out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in early spring. Make sure that each portion has at least one growing bud[111, K]. Cuttings during the growing season. Very easy[200].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Commelina coelestisBlue Spider Wort, CommelinaPerennial0.5 8-11  LNDM20 
Commelina communisDay Flower, Asiatic dayflowerPerennial0.8 6-9  LMSNDM321
Commelina dianthifoliaBirdbill DayflowerPerennial0.1 6-9  LMSNDM21 
Commelina elliptica Perennial0.1 7-10  LMSNDM20 
Commelina erectaSlender Day-Flower, Whitemouth dayflowerPerennial1.2 8-11  LMSNDM20 
Commelina tuberosaCommelinaPerennial0.1 7-10  LMSNDM20 
Commelina virginicaVirginia Day-FlowerAnnual/Perennial1.2 -  LMSNDM20 
Tradescantia virginianaSpiderwort, Virginia spiderwortPerennial0.4 4-9 MLMHSNDM21 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

(Michx.)Fernald.

Botanical References

72200270

Links / References

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Subject : Commelina erecta angustifolia  
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