# Virginia Dayflower (*Commelina virginica*)

The Virginia Dayflower is a pretty blue flower that blooms in the summer. It has soft, heart-shaped leaves and grows close to the ground, making it a lovely sight in gardens and fields.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Wetlands

![Virginia Dayflower](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Commelina_virginica_NPS-1.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Theresa Thom, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Commelina_virginica_NPS-1.jpg)

## Appearance

The Virginia Dayflower has bright green, lance-shaped leaves and distinct, delicate flowers. Each bloom typically features two vibrant blue petals on top and a tiny, often white, third petal tucked beneath. This unique asymmetrical three-petal arrangement makes it easily identifiable.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Liliopsida
- **Order:** Commelinales
- **Family:** Commelinaceae
- **Genus:** Commelina

## Interesting facts

- Each flower on the Dayflower blooms only for a single day, then it's gone!
- Its common name 'Dayflower' comes from its blooms only lasting one bright day!
- Its leaves and stems are edible, tasting a bit like spinach or watercress!
- The flower's bright yellow stamens are often curved, resembling little curious eyes!

## Special abilities

- **Daily Bloom Shift:** Virginia Dayflower can open its fresh, nectar-rich flowers each morning, ensuring pollinators visit new blooms daily.
- **Resilient Growth:** Virginia Dayflower has a flexible root system that allows it to thrive in diverse soil conditions, even disturbed areas.
- **Hidden Self-Pollinator:** Virginia Dayflower can self-pollinate if insects are scarce, ensuring it still produces seeds for the next generation.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 20-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-2 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer-early fall
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European Honey Bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
- **Pollinates:** [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits the flowers for nectar and pollen.
- **Eaten by:** [White-tailed Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-tailed-deer) (*Odocoileus virginianus*) — Browses on its leaves and stems.

## Traits

- [Ornamental](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ornamental): Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
- [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.
- [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Do not pick flowers without asking an adult first, so we can keep nature beautiful!

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Virginia Dayflower?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Virginia Dayflower?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Virginia Dayflower spread?

20-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Virginia Dayflower?

1-2 cm

### When does Virginia Dayflower bloom?

Summer-early fall

### Is Virginia Dayflower edible?

Yes

### Is Virginia Dayflower toxic?

None

### What is Virginia Dayflower's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Icehouse Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/icehouse-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District
- [Water Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/water-avenue-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District

## 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*)

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Source: [Virginia Dayflower: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/virginia-dayflower)