Whitemouth Dayflower
Commelina erecta

Family: Spiderwort (Commelinaceae)
AKA: Erect Dayflower, Slender Dayflower, Widow's Tears
Photo taken on: August 18, 2020
Location: Madera Trail, Santa Fe National Forest, NM
Life Zones: Plains and foothills
Habitat: Sandy or rocky open areas

Grows erect to about 1 foot tall with wide, grass-like leaves clasping the stem. Leaves have parallel veins and reddish edges. Flowers are showy and grow from a spathe, a folded, sickle-shaped, purse-like bract, see photo below. Flowers are 1 inch across with two roundish blue petals side by side and a small white notched petal below. Flowers only open for a day. Similar and growing in the same habitat to Western Spiderwort.

Flora of North America reference.