Flora
of East-Central Indiana
| Virginia Spiderwort |
| Scientific Name | Tradescantia virginiana L. |
| Family Name | Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family) |
|
Characteristics |
| Habitat: | moist woods and prairies |
| Plant Height: | 20-40 cm, erect |
| Flower Color: | blue/violet, sometimes white |
| Flower: | hypogynous (perianth and stamens attached directly to receptacle); perfect; complete; 2.5-5 cm wide; 3 hairy sepals; 3 petals; 6 hairy stamens; ovary with 3 locules; 1-2 ovules per locule |
| Inflorescence: | terminal cluster subtended by a pair of long, narrow bracts |
| Fruit: | capsule |
| Leaves: | entire; simple; linear; folded lengthwise forming a channel; to 38 cm long |
| Bloom Time: | April-June |
| Origins: | native |
| Other: | flowers open only in morning; petals then wilt and turn to a jelly-like fluid; common name comes from angular leaf arrangement which suggests a squatting spider |
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| general form | flowers close | habit |
Native Wildflowers ● Trees, Shrubs&Vines ● Ferns ● Grasses&Allies ● Non-Native Species ● ECI Flora Home
information
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comments to: hbrown@bsu.edu |
