Paleo Foraging

Tinantia anomala (Torr.) C.B. Clarke

Synonyms: = Tradescantia anomala

Common names: False dayflower, widowstears

Location in Texas: C, SW, & sparse in coastal SE; common in Travis Co.

Form: grass-like herb; annual.

Experimentation

Dayflower (Commelina) and spiderwort (Tradescantia), two other genera in the commelinaceae plant family, are edible (Tull 1987: 70), and so is false dayflower. I have eaten the raw foliage many times. They have an excellent mild taste and a crisp tender texture, with a mucilaginous quality to the sap. The flowers are also edible and make an attractive garnish on salads. Both parts can also be cooked to eat.