
116 PLANTS GROWING IN MOIST SOIL. 
SLENDER DAY FLOWER. (Plate LVZ.) 
Commelina erécta. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Spiderwort. Blue. Scentless. Penn. southward August, September. 
: and westward. 
Flowers : terminal; solitary; irregular; growing from an upper spathe-like 
leaf. Culyx: unequal; the larger sepals being united. Coro//a: of three un- 
equal petals; one very inconspicuous. Perfect stamens : three; one incurved 
with large anther. Sterile stamens: three; small. Pysti/: one. Leaves: al- 
ternate : lanceolate; clasping. Svem : erect; leafy. 
In the generic name of the day flowers, Linnzus has per- 
petrated a scathing invective on all that are so unwise as to be 
indifferent to the claims of botany. Of the three Commelyn 
brothers, who were Dutch botanists, two were very scientific 
and published works on the subject. They are designated by 
the two large petals of the flowers. The third brother was less 
studious and published nothing. It has been his fate to be ever 
afterwards associated with the small, insignificant petal. 
COMMON DAY FLOWER. 
Commelina Virgintica. 
FAMILY COLOUR ODOUR RANGE TIME OF BLOOM 
Spiderwort. Blue. Scentless. New York to Florida. Summer. 
Flowers: terminal; solitary; irregular; growing from an upper spathe-like 
leaf. Calyx: unequal; the larger sepals being united. Corol//a : of three un- 
equal petals ; one very inconspicuous. Stamens: six; both sterile and fertile ; 
three of which project beyond the petals. Pyst/: one. Leaves: lJanceolate ; con- 
tracted at the base ; becoming spathe-like as they approach the flower. Stem: 
branching ; smooth. /wice : mucilaginous. 
The day flower is exactly what one would suppose to bea 
happy, innocent blossom. Its blue is so pure and it remains 
with us for such a short time that it is not affected by the levity 
and frivolity of the world. For just one day it opens its bright 
countenance to the sunshine, when its work in life is done and 
its petals most curiously melt into a sort of jelly, where we can 
no longer follow their doings. 

