Virginia Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
Photo by Marie R., Pixabay
Summary
This native perennial wildflower is a member of the spiderwort family. The origin of the name ‘spiderwort’ has several explanations, depending on who you listen to. The most common explanation is the angular arrangement of the leaves’ resemblance to a squatting spider. The name may also be based on the secretions from the cut stem, which become threadlike upon hardening and resemble spider silk. Regardless, in spring, the 3-petaled spring flowers (with delicate spider-web-like filaments surrounding the anthers) last for only a day, but new ones appear daily, in clusters ranging from blue to purple to pink. This plant prefers moist conditions, spreading into clumps via underground stolons, and brings a welcome pop of color to woodland areas or rain gardens.
More Details
FAMILY
Commelinaceae (Spiderwort)
BLOOM TIME
May-June
FLOWER
Blue-violet
MATURE SIZE
2-3 feet
LIGHT REQUIREMENT
Sun to Part Shade
SOIL CONDITIONS
Average - Moist
NATIVE STATUS
PA Native
Ecosystem Connections
Spiderwort attracts bees and butterflies; bees, especially bumble bees, are its primary pollinators. Syrphid flies also visit the flowers, but they feed on stray pollen and are not effective pollinators. A leaf beetle (Lema collaris) feeds on the foliage. Various herbivores occasionally eat the leaves and stems of this plant, including deer, livestock, rabbits, and the wood tortoise.