Asiatic Dayflower

Description:

Reclining stems topped with deep blue-purple flowers. The flowers had a shimmering iridescence as well. The flowers protrude from a heart-shaped leaf-like bract and are only open for one day. They are sometimes called Mouse Flowers because of the rounded, ear-like upper petals. The leaves are long with pointed tips.

Habitat:

Spotted in a very anthropogenic habitat - on the edge of a wide path, in a semi-polluted ditch with trash all around. There were several of them growing together, and these gorgeous purple-blue flowers really stood out in this sad landscape.

Notes:

This is an invasive plant in the US. Asiatic daylilies have been used as medicine, food, and for their pigment. They typically grow in disturbed areas, and are considered a weed both in areas where they were introduced as well as in parts of their native range. Research suggests that the Asiatic dayflower can bioaccumulate a number of metals, which may make it an ideal candidate for revegetating and cleaning up copper mines.