spiderwort

Spiderwort is the common name for plants in the genus Tradescantia, in the family Commelinaceae. Native to the Americas, several species are cultivated for their color and hardiness. The best known are Tradescantia virginiana (Virginia spiderwort) and Tradescantia ohiensis (Ohio spiderwort), both longstanding garden ornamentals.

They are herbaceous perennials that form clumps of arching, grasslike leaves and produce tall flower stalks bearing clusters of three-petaled blossoms. Flowers are typically shades of purple or blue, with occasional white forms; each bloom lasts about a day, often opening in the morning.

Cultivation prefers moist, well-drained soil in sun to partial shade. Many forms tolerate a range of conditions and can spread by rhizomes or stolons; in warm climates they may naturalize, while in cooler areas they are often grown as perennials or annuals. Garden hybrids are widely marketed as spiderwort.

Etymology: the genus is named for John Tradescant the Elder, a 17th-century English botanist and explorer. The common name may reference the spiderlike filaments in the flowers or the plant’s sprawling growth habit.

Safety: Tradescantia species contain insoluble calcium oxalate crystals; ingestion can irritate the mouth and gastrointestinal tract in people and animals, and handling sap may irritate skin. The plant is generally considered non-toxic but should be kept away from curious children and pets.