Mid-Atlantic Invaders Tool

marsh dayflower

Murdannia keisak

(Hassk.) Hand.-Maz.

Taxon, Habit: Plant, Forb

Habitat: Aquatic

U.S. Nativity: Introduced

Species Synonym(s): None

Common Name(s): marsh dewflower, aneilima, Asian spiderwort, wartremoving herb, marsh dayflower

Family: Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

Family Synonym(s): None

Native Range (GRIN):

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Plant

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Flower

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Flower

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Plant

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Plant

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Plant

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Flower

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Plant

Linda Lee, University of South Carolina

Description

Appearance
Murdannia keisak is an annual, emergent plant that invades wetlands in the southeastern and northwestern United States. Plant stems are succulent, form roots at the nodes, and grow prostrate along the ground. Stems are 12-30 in. (30.5-76.2 cm) long.
Foliage
Leaves are alternate, lance-shaped, and up to 3 in. (7.6 cm) long.
Flowers
From September to November small, pink, 3-petaled flowers occur singly or in small clusters at the apex of the stems and in the leaf axils.
Fruit
The fruit is a capsule that contains several small seeds.
Ecological Threat
M. keisak invades water edges and marshes and often grows immersed. It forms dense mats that out-compete native vegetation. M. keisak is native to temperate and tropical Asia and was accidentally introduced into the United States, in South Carolina, around 1935.

Uses

Landscape Ornamental Use (GRIN): No

All Uses (GRIN):

Distribution Map (EDDMapS)

Wetland Indicator

Summary: marsh dayflower (Murdannia keisak) is a Aquatic species.

Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain (AGCP):

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain regions

Eastern Mountains and Piedmont (EMP):

Mid-Atlantic Piedmont and Mountain regions

Northcentral and Northeast (NCNE):

Northern parts of PA and NJ (and beyond)

No Data


Legend (data from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)

OBL (Obligate wetland): Almost always occurs in wetlands (estimated probability > 99%) under natural conditions

FACW (Facultative wetland): Usually occurs in wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in non-wetlands

FAC (Facultative): Equally likely to occur in wetlands (estimated probability 34% - 66%) or non-wetlands

FACU (Facultative upland): Usually occur in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67% - 99%), but occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1% - 33%)

UPL (Obligate upland): Occur almost always (estimated probability > 99%) in non-wetlands under natural conditions

Taxonomic Rank

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Magnoliophyta
Class: Liliopsida
Subclass: Commelinidae
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Genus: Murdannia
Subject: Murdannia keisak (Hassk.) Hand.-Maz.

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