All plants /Ground /Dayflower
Dayflower
Commelina erecta, spiderwort family. Common in East and Central and West Texas.
At a glance
- What
- Young leaves, stems, and flowers
- How
- Raw or cooked as a mild green
- When
- Summer
- Where
- Fields, yards, disturbed ground
- Value
- A mild green; the flowers are a garnish
Caution: A safe relative of spiderwort; eat young tender growth. Never eat a wild plant on this guide's word alone. Confirm identity against several sources and learn the look-alikes first.
Identification
Two vivid blue upper petals over a small white lower one give each flower a Mickey-Mouse look; each bloom lasts just a day.
In the kitchen
The tender shoots and leaves are a pleasant mild green, and the blue flowers brighten a salad.
Photo: Purplesofi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Forages well with
Forage safely. Never eat a wild plant on this site's word alone. Confirm identity with several sources, learn the look-alikes, and when in doubt, leave it in the ground.