Spiderwort
| Also known as: | Prairie Spiderwort |
|---|---|
| Scientific name: | Tradescantia occidentalis |
| Family: | Spiderwort (Commelinaceae) |
| Life cycle: | perennial |
| Origin: | native |
| Habitat: | sun or part shade; dry fields, along roads, edges of woods |
| Bloom season: | spring, summer |
| Plant height: | 10 to 24 inches |
| USDA PLANTS database: | Minnesota county distribution map |
| Spotted in Ramsey County at: |
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Detailed Information
- Flower:
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/spiderwort-100_5481-t.jpg)
3-petaled flower 1 to 2 inches across with yellow tipped stamen. Color ranges from blue to deep blue-violet and is occasionally pink or white. One plant may have up to 10 flowers, but only a few open at a time. The flowers open in the morning and wilt by noon on hot days.
- Leaves:
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/spiderwort-100_5476-t.jpg)
Grass-like blades up to 15 inches long clasp the stem. Each leaf is folded lengthwise and has parallel veins. The stem can have a bit of a zig-zag appearance due to the jointed leaf attachment.
- Notes:
- According to my field guide, when Spiderwort is exposed to air pollution, its flowers change from blue to purple, so the more blue the flower, the better the air quality.
![[photo of flower]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/spiderwort-100_5481.jpg)
![[photo of leaves]](/udata/r9ndp23q/blue/spiderwort-100_5476.jpg)
More photos
full size plant, about 12 inches tallPhotos taken at Long Lake Regional Park, New Brighton, MN, May 2007
Comments
Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?
on: 2008-06-18 22:27:24
There is a bunch of this along the railroad tracks below West 7th street in St. Paul. Mostly purple but a couple of blues, pinkish and white ones. Don't know that they are not escapees though.