Dayflower blue

Asiatic dayflower (Commelina communis)

Description

Paper dyed with dayflower blue

A blue dye extracted from the petals of the Commelina communis lily plant native to Asia. Dayflower is a herbaceous annual plant that sprawls along the ground like a vine, often rooting at the nodes. The flowers bloom only for a day, emerging one at a time. The plant is considered invasive in the United States and it is resistant to many herbicides. The blue colorant in the dayflower blue dye is primarily commelinin.

• See also [Uemera Dye Archive (Tsuki kusa)]

Synonyms and Related Terms

tsuyukusa (Jap.); aigami (Jap.); commelinin; Commelina communis (Asiatic dayflower); Coommelina virginica (Virginia dayflower)

Paper dyed with dayflower blue

Physical and Chemical Properties

• Leaves = alternate, narrowly ovate to lance-shaped
• Stamens = 3 on short stems (sterile) and 3 on long stems producing pollen
• Blooms = May-October

ISO R105 Lightfastness Classification =

Resources and Citations

• S.Shimoyama, Y.Noda, S.Katshuhara, "Non-Destructive Analysis of Ukiyo-E Prints" Dyes in History and Archaeology, No.15, Paper presented in Manchester England, Nov. 1996.

• R.Feller, M.Curran, C.Bailie, 'Identification of Traditional Organic Colorants Employed in Japanese Prints and Determination of their Rates of Fading', Japanese Woodblock Prints, Allen Memorial Art Museum, Oberlin College, Oberlin, 1984

• Missouri Department of Conservation: Common Dayflower