Sekh Sayantan, Burdwan Eco Garden, Bugwood.org

Family: Commelinaceae

Synonym(s): Benghal dayflower

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Herb

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 1
TDA Noxious Weed: 1
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Stem is ascending and can be over 3 ft. (1 m) long. Leaves are alternate, parallel-veined like a lily leaf, 1.2-2.8 in. (3-7 cm) long, and can be about twice as long as wide. The leaf sheaths often have reddish hairs where the leaf meets the stem. This is a distinguishing characteristic. Possesses both above- and below ground flowers. Aboveground flowers are lilac to blue and very small and are present from the spring into the fall. The two prominent upper petals are only 0.1-0.2 in. (3-5 mm) across and are on thin pedicels, and the lower petal is inconspicuous and usually white. Underground flowers, which grow on burrowing rhizomes, are white and very small. They do not open.

History: Was first found in the United States in 1963.

Biology & Spread: The plants reproduce by seeds, stolons, and rooting at nodes of stems. One plant can produce as many as 1600 seeds.

Ecological Threat: Tropical spiderwort forms, dense, pure stands, smothering out other plants, especially low-growing crops. It has been reported recently as a problem in cotton in Alabama. In pastures, it grows rapidly over desirable grasses and legumes, competing with them for light and nutrients. In rice and other lowland crops it may be almost subaquatic withstanding flooding and waterlogged conditions, but they can also be found in cultivated lands, field borders, gardens, grasslands, roadsides, and waste places, and can become the dominant species in pastures.

US Habitat: Benghal dayflower invades areas with moist soil including roadsides, grasslands and other disturbed areas.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced

Native Origin: Asia and Africa

US States: AL, CA, FL, GA, HI, LA, NC

Resembles/Alternatives: False dayflower (Commelinantia anomala or Tinantia anomala)

Management: Property managers and cooperators may use these strategies:

Cultural Control: Plants readily root at the nodes of the creeping stems, especially when cut or broken, making these weeds difficult to control in field areas. Sections on the soil surface root readily during rainy weather or in the shade of crop plants.

Chemical Control: University of Florida tests conducted in 2000 showed that Command and Spartan used in combination or alone were effective April to early June, but effectiveness trailed off later in the season. Methods Development has found that 46 brands of herbicide are labeled for use on dayflower. However, farmers in Florida have not been able to control tropical spiderwort effectively with chemicals. Control with herbicides is difficult because many seeds germinate after the initial flush of summer weeds and part of the seeds are produced underground.

Biological Control: None is known.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation. Arthur E. Miller, USDA-APHIS-PPQ, AERO, Raleigh, NC. November 26, 2001.

Data Source

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Invasives.org
Univ. of Florida IFAS Extension
USDA-APHIS ID card

Last Updated: 2020-06-15 by HFL