Common spiderwort
Also known as: Ohio spiderwort, reflext spiderwort, Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis Raf.
Images
Click on image to view full size
Morphology
- Stem
- Erect, slender, 1 to many, sometimes branched, glabrous, waxy, bluish-green; somewhat succulent; nodes 3-8; internodes to 9 inches.
- Leaves
- Alternate, simple, firm, linear-lanceolate, 4 to 14 inches long, 1/4 to 3/4 inches wide, glabrous, waxy, sheath stem at nodes, margins entire.
- Inflorescence
- Cymes, umbel-like, few to many-flowered, terminal on main stem or branches; subtended by leafy bracts 1 to 8 inches long, waxy, glabrous to soft-hairy at base.
- Flower
- Stalks 1/4 to 1 inch long, glabrous; sepals 3, elliptic, 1/3 to 1/2 inch long, glabrous, waxy, tips pointed and sometimes bearing tuft of hair, margins sometimes purplish-red; petals 3, broadly egg-shaped, blue, purple, or lavender, 1 to 1.5 inch wide; stamens 6; filaments densely bearded.
- Fruit
- Capsules, rounded; seeds 2-6, gray, 1/12 to 1/6 inch long.
Ecology
- Habitat
- Roadsides, meadows, thickets, prairies, open woods or disturbed areas; moist places, on sandy, rocky, or clayey soil.
- Distribution
- Principally east 1/2 of Kansas.
Additional Notes
Comments
Sometimes referred to as "cow-slobbers" because of the mucilaginous slimy substance in the stem. Tradescantia is named for John Tradescant, gardener for Charles the First of England in the 17th century. Wort comes from Anglo-Saxon wyrt "herb" or "root", and spider from the belief held at one time that they would cure spider bites.
Special Notes: Three other spiderworts are observed in Kansas: prairie spiderwort , bracted spiderwort , and Tharps' spiderwort .
Quick Facts
- Plant Type
- Wildflower
- Family
- Commelinaceae - Spiderwort Family
- Life Span
- Perennial
- Height
- 1-3 feet
- Last Updated
- 2007-09-07
Color Groups
Blue, Purple, Lavender & Violet Wildflowers
Flowering Period
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Blooms: May, June, July, August