I see these near Dallas, TX. The ones I have seen are either white, very light pink, or dark purple. During the day they open up into a cup or bell-like shape, at night they close up into a rose looking configuration. The flower itself measures about 1 1/2 inches across and 1 inch deep. They grow fairly low to the ground, not on a stalk or bush. The stems have small, slender pointed leaves.
Any ideas? Include pictures if possible.
Wild morning glory? Usually a low growing vine with triangular leaves. They do the opening and closing thing. Size and color vary a lot depending on what part of the country they’re in.
Close, but these I have seen are more cup shaped, they don’t open up flat at all.
Could it be the Wild Potato Vine? We have them in Arkansas near the roadsides and such.
Sounds like crocuses to me. Small, low to the ground, pointed leaves, cup shaped, closes at night, variety of colors. I plant these all over my lawn. They come up in late winter, beautify the lawn, and are gone before I have to mow. Makes my front yard look like a meadow for a short time!
TwoTrouts’ guess sounds better than mine. The “not on a stalk” part made me think of vines, but the flower you describe sounds closer to the crocus.
I think it’s a Prickly Poppy:
Could it be a lisianthus?
Nope, those are too full, these only have like 4 or 5 petals. They are going to sleep now, they curl up until the bud is shut. Maybe they only live one day? I will have to see how they are tomorrow, but there are more baby buds on the stems.
Ah Ha!!! Here’s what they are, a Poppymallow Winecup:
http://www.wildflower2.org/NPIN/Gallery/CNSearch.asp?CNSearch=winecup&submit3.x=12&submit3.y=9
So they look different depending on how far they are open.
I wandered though a meadow of poppymallow winecups …
Well, I won’t try to talk you into it, but for the record, that photo was of a double lisianthus. My mistake. On this page, at the bottom, are links to photos of single varieties.
Whoops! You found it while I was second-guessing you!
Sorry.
Living in Texas means that a great resource is at hand. The Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center has a database of wildflowers from all over north america. Check out the Agalinis flowers on page 9 or 10, they may be what you are looking for.
