Commelina dianthifolia

Commelina dianthifolia, known as the birdbill dayflower, is a perennial herb native to mountains in the south-western United States (Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas) and northern Mexico.^[2] Petals are blue while sepals are green. The inflorescence is a scorpioid cyme and it is subtended by a boat-like spathe.

Birdbill dayflower
Conservation status
Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Monocots
Clade:	Commelinids
Order:	Commelinales
Family:	Commelinaceae
Genus:	Commelina
Species:	C. dianthifolia
Binomial name
Commelina dianthifolia Delile

Uses

An infusion of plant used by Keres people as a strengthener for weakened tuberculosis patients.^[3] The Ramah Navajo give a cold simple or compound infusion to livestock as an aphrodisiac.^[4]

References

1. NatureServe (2024). "Commelina dianthifolia". Arlington, Virginia. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
2. Commelina dianthifolia Delile - PLANTS Profile. USDA Retrieved 25 January 2011.
3. Swank, George R. 1932 The Ethnobotany of the Acoma and Laguna Indians. University of New Mexico, M.A. Thesis (p. 38)
4. Vestal, Paul A. 1952 The Ethnobotany of the Ramah Navaho. Papers of the Peabody Museum of American Archaeology and Ethnology 40(4):1-94 (p. 19)