Scientific Family
Commelinaceae
Other common names
western dayflower
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
15 inches
Riparian
No
An unbranched to usually sparsely branched plant; tuberous roots; stems erect to ascending; flowers intense sky-blue, irregular, subtended by a large bract; flowers last barely a day, which is how this wildflower got its name.
Tuberous roots; stems erect to ascending, unbranched to sparsely branched; leaves narrow and tapering; flowers usually solitary, irregular, bisexual with 3 sterile stamens, subtended by a large bract, petals dark blue; stalks minutely hairy.
Habitat
Woodlands and mixed conifer forests, often of granitic soils.
Plant Community
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Low elevation
3500
High elevation
9500
Flower Characteristics
3 petals of sky-blue with 6 yellow stamens; flowers emerge in the morning and often wilt by mid-afternoon.
Flower color
Blue
Flower shape
Irregular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
July
Last bloom month
September
Flower clusters
None
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Long, narrow, deeply creased leaves sheath the tall, upright stems.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Green
Leaf shape
Narrow
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
None
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
3-celled capsule contains 5 seeds.
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit color
Brown
Seeds are brown, irregularly ridged and pitted.