# climbing dayflower (*Commelina diffusa*) The climbing dayflower is a pretty little flower that loves to grow in warm places. It has bright blue petals that can make any garden look cheerful and happy! - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 2 - **Habitat:** Urban areas ![climbing dayflower](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Commelina_diffusa_pollinator_Layton_171_XTBG.JPG&width=800) Photo: Daniel J. Layton, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Commelina_diffusa_pollinator_Layton_171_XTBG.JPG) ## Appearance The climbing dayflower has striking asymmetric blue petals, usually two large ones and a tiny third white one, contrasting with its fleshy green leaves. Its stems can trail along the ground or climb upwards, creating a lush, sprawling appearance. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Liliopsida - **Order:** Commelinales - **Family:** Commelinaceae - **Genus:** Commelina ## Interesting facts - It can produce seeds even without its flowers fully opening, a clever trick! - Its beautiful blue flowers often open only in the morning sun, closing by afternoon! - Some people eat its leaves and stems in salads or cooked like spinach! - This plant has 'false' stamens that look like pollen, but are just for show! ## Special abilities - **Climbing Conqueror:** Climbing dayflower can root at stem nodes that touch the ground, helping it spread widely and ascend other plants for sunlight. - **Fast Recovery:** Climbing dayflower can regrow quickly from broken stem fragments, helping it survive disturbances and spread rapidly. - **Moisture Magnet:** Climbing dayflower has succulent-like stems and leaves that store water, helping it thrive in consistently moist environments. ## Measurements & details - **Height:** 15-200 cm - **Spread:** 30-100 cm - **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm - **Bloom Season:** Summer, Fall - **Edible:** Yes - **Toxicity:** None - **Lifecycle:** Perennial - **Pollination Method:** Insect ## Ecological connections - **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Honey bees visit flowers for nectar and pollen. - **Eaten by:** Black cutworm (*Agrotis ipsilon*) — Larvae can feed on young climbing dayflower plants. - **Eaten by:** Fall armyworm (*Spodoptera frugiperda*) — Caterpillars are generalist feeders that consume its leaves. ## Traits - [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished. - [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always look but don't pick flowers unless an adult says it's okay. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify climbing dayflower? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How tall is climbing dayflower? 15-200 cm ### How wide does climbing dayflower spread? 30-100 cm ### How big are the flowers on climbing dayflower? 1-2 cm ### When does climbing dayflower bloom? Summer, Fall ### Is climbing dayflower edible? Yes ### Is climbing dayflower toxic? None ### What is climbing dayflower's lifecycle? Perennial ## Where to spot - [Kalopa State Recreation Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kalopa-state-recreation-area) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Ke'anae Arboretum](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/keanae-arboretum) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Martin Luther King Junior Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/martin-luther-king-junior-park) — Virginia, US · Park [View all places to see climbing dayflower](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/climbing-dayflower) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Climbing Dayflower: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/climbing-dayflower)