Commelina dianthifolia aka Commelina Dianthifolia

Commelina dianthifolia is known as birdbill dayflower. It is a perennial: it lives for more than two years. It has tuberous roots and belongs to the Commelinaceae family. Kew gives its native range as the western and south-central United States to Guatemala. Plants For A Future lists Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. It also lists Chihuahua in Mexico and notes rocky soils. Kew calls its climate subtropical. The plant is not native to Britain or Ireland.

Plants For A Future gives a height of about 0.3 feet [0.1 metres]. The plant grows back from roots that need frost protection. It blooms from July to September. Each flower lasts just a few hours. Seeds ripen from August to October, while the plant still blooms. Flowers have both male and female organs. The supplied species records say no more about leaf shape. They give no flower colour either.

Grow this plant in light soil that drains well. Sand or loam suits it. Plants For A Future suggests adding leaf mould to loam. It also notes success in plain garden soil with enough moisture. Choose a sunny spot with some shelter. The plant can grow in part shade too. It accepts mildly acid soils and neutral soils. Mildly alkaline soils also suit it. Its listed soil moisture range runs from dry to moist. The records include plants grown in garden beds.

Plants For A Future lists USDA zones 6–9. It notes survival near 14°F [−10°C], with roots kept from freezing. Light soil that drains well can help roots live outdoors. A thick mulch can help too. Or lift the roots in autumn. Keep them cool and free from frost through winter. Sow seeds under glass in March at 68°F [20°C]. Seeds take about four to five weeks to sprout. Move young plants outdoors after the last expected frost. Divide plants in early spring. Keep a growing bud on each piece. You can also take cuttings while the plant grows.

Plants For A Future records past use of a plant infusion as medicine. Uses include an aphrodisiac and a tonic for people weakened by tuberculosis. This record does not show that either treatment works. Its food-use notes draw on a related species. They do not confirm food use for this plant. The source lists no known hazards. That does not prove the plant is safe.