Asiatic Dayflower

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.

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.