Asiatic dayflower easy to pull

Q. There is a small blue flower that I find blooming around my garden and in my lawn. There are three petals. While it is a beautiful little blue flower, I am wondering if it may be a weed.

A. It seems that you have Asiatic dayflower growing in your garden. It is a member of the Commelinaceae or spiderwort family, and appears from June to October. While most “blue flowers” are closer to violet or purple, the Asiatic dayflower has a “true blue” color that is found in few other plants. Bees primarily pollinate the flowers. As the name suggests, Asiatic dayflower was introduced to the U.S. from Asia.

It can be erect or sprawl across the ground like a vine. Each flower blooms during the morning for a single day. There are few herbicides that are effective on Asiatic dayflower.

However, its roots are very shallow, making it easy to pull out from the ground.

Ÿ Provided by Mary Boldan and Mary Moisand, University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners. Master Gardener Answer Desk, located at Friendship Park Conservatory, 395 Algonquin, Des Plaines, is open 9 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays. Call (847) 298-3502 or email Cookcountymg.com@gmail.com.