Commelina erecta (Sand Dayflower or Widow’s Tears)

Description

This native trailing perennial blooms from May to October (or year-round during mild winters).  Flowers open in the morning and melt in the afternoon (I would like to see someone use them in art project).  They are pollinated by long-tongued bees and syrphids (whose larvae feed on aphids and other plant pests). The larvae and adults of several colorful beetles feed on the foliage.  Birds eat the seeds and the insects that feed on the plants. The rare Gopher Tortoises eats the foliage.  The leaves (raw or cooked) and the flowers (raw or candied) are edible for humans. Dayflowers have been used medicinally to treat wounds, fungal infections and  spider bites.Native to most of the continental US: AL, AR, AZ, CO, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NM, NY, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, VA, WI, WV, and WY. We propagated our plants from native populations in Beaufort Co., SC. Plant them in sun or part sun in average to dry soil. Growing wild in sand hills, sand dunes and salt marsh margins, They tolerate high calcium soil, very dry soil, salt wind and salt water.  They bind soil and reduce erosion. Not sure where to plant them?  They make great container plants.

This is  a species that thrives under extremely dry soil but does not maintain long term under standard nursery conditions. Therefore, we maintain only small quantities in the nursery at any given time. Order yours and we will get them ready for you. During the hot months, we can have them ready in about a month from order date.

New plants ready by Mid April