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Identification of Tropical Spiderwort (AKA Benghal Dayflower)

Identification of Tropical Spiderwort (AKA Benghal Dayflower). Theodore M. Webster USDA-ARS, Tifton Twebster@tifton.usda.gov. Coteledonary stalk – links seed to meristem (common in Commelinaceae). Eric Prostko, UGA. Relative to other dayflowers, tropical spiderwort has

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Identification of Tropical Spiderwort (AKA Benghal Dayflower)

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  1. Identification of Tropical Spiderwort (AKA Benghal Dayflower) Theodore M. Webster USDA-ARS, Tifton Twebster@tifton.usda.gov

  2. Coteledonary stalk – links seed to meristem (common in Commelinaceae) Eric Prostko, UGA

  3. Relative to other dayflowers, tropical spiderwort has broad, short leaves Photo by Stanley Culpepper, UGA

  4. Of the 170 Commelina spp., it is one of a few that is vegetatively distinct (Faden 1992) Leaf Length: Leaf Width ~ 1.5 (Less than 3:1) Alan York, NCSU

  5. TROPICAL SPIDERWORT Tip more blunted L:W Ratio <3:1 SPREADING DAYFLOWER Tip sharper L:W Ratio >4:1 4.3 1.0 1.0 1.5 MARSH DAYFLOWER L:W Ratio ~ 6:1 Mike Burton, NCSU

  6. Red Hairs at the apex of the membranous sheath Herb Pilcher, USDA-ARS

  7. Dayflower/Spiderwort Flowers (Commelina spp.) Asiatic Dayflower Tropical spiderwort Upper 2 petals blue Lower petal white Spreading Dayflower From SWSS Weed ID Guide Herb Pilcher, USDA-ARS This slide is a bit deceiving, as tropical spiderwort flowers are much smaller than its two dayflower relatives 3 blue petals From SWSS Weed ID Guide

  8. Fused Conical Spathe: Important Identifying Characteristic! Side View: Spreading Dayflower Top View: Spreading Dayflower Mike Burton, NCSU

  9. Asiatic Dayflower Tropical Spiderwort Fused Not Fused

  10. Of the nearly 250,000 species of flowering plants… Only dayflower species in the U.S. to have underground flowers … 36 have underground flowers Herb Pilcher, USDA-ARS

  11. Underground flowers 2002 Arlene Mendoza North Carolina State University

  12. Key Characteristics for Tropical Spiderwort Identification • Leaf Length to Leaf Width Ratio <3:1; other dayflowers are 4:1 or greater • Underground flowers – unique among dayflowers in the US • Aerial flowers are much smaller than other dayflowers; 2 upper petals blue, lower one white • Red (or white) hairs at the apex of the sheath that surrounds the stem

  13. WWW.GAWeed.com Twebster@tifton.usda.gov

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