Tradescantia virginiana Linnaeus. Common name: Virginia Spiderwort. Phenology: Apr-Jul. Habitat: Nutrient-rich forests and woodlands. Distribution: ME west to MI and WI, south to n. GA, MO, and e. AR.
ID notes: Very variable in flower color, including deep blue, purple, pink, light pink, and pure white.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Synonymy ⓘ: = Ar, C, F, FNA22, G, Il, K4, Mi, Mo1, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, S13, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WV, Anderson & Woodson (1935), Pellegrini (2017), Tucker (1989); ? Tradescantia brevicaulis Raf. — S, S13; > Tradescantia virginiana L. — S, S13. Basionym: Tradescantia virginiana L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Tradescantia virginiana - FNA22
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU
- Great Plains: FAC
- Midwest: UPL
- Northcentral & Northeast: UPL
Heliophily ⓘ: 5
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© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Zach Irick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zach Irick source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce Sorrie | Original Image ⭷
© Zach Irick, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Zach Irick source CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
no rights reserved, uploaded by Shaun Pogacnik source CC0 | Original Image ⭷
© Richard & Teresa Ware CC-BY-NC, permission granted to NCBG | Original Image ⭷
© Bruce A. Sorrie | Original Image ⭷Feedback
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Horticultural Information
Intro: Erect or ascending, clump-forming perennial of nutrient-rich, moist to dry forests and rocky woodlands, and well-drained floodplain forests.
Stems: Stems branched, somewhat succulent, smooth or sparsely hairy.
Leaves: Leaves alternate; sessile with hairy, sheathing bases; linear to lance-shaped; 5-15 in. long; smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in terminal clusters with a pair of long, leaf-like bracts with pointy tips spread beneath; blue or purple (occasionally rose or white); about 1 in. wide; with 3 spreading oval petals, 3 hairy sepals and 6 hairy stamens. Individual flower stalks are hairy.
Fruits: Fruit a 3-celled, oval capsule.
Comments:
Height: 6-20 in.
plant sale text: Virginia spiderwort is versatile and reliable SE native species and adds a cheerful touch to the garden. Although it prefers part shade and average soil moisture, it is adaptable to many different light and soil conditions and will tolerate full sun if the soil is sufficiently moist. After all flowers have bloomed, cut the stems back and they will rebloom in the fall. Virginia spiderwort is known to hybridize with other spiderwort species. Various Tradescantia species were historically used by Native Americans to treat stomach ailments.
bloom table text: Tradenscantia are native, herbaceous perennials named for John Tradescant, gardener to King Charles I of England. They bloom from April through September and adapt to a wide range of conditions. In cultivation, they thrive in moist, well-drained soil and full sun. In nature, they are most often found on the rich woodland floor. Because they are very sensitive to pollution, spiderworts can be used as environmental indicators. They will respond to very low levels of environmental pollutants (such as auto exhaust fumes, radiation, herbicides and pesticides) with rapid mutations that alter the color of the stamens. Cutting back flowering stems occasionally prolongs flowering. This is a good plant for pollinators!
description: Erect or ascending, clump-forming perennial of nutrient-rich, moist to dry forests and rocky woodlands, and well-drained floodplain forests.
stems: Stems branched, somewhat succulent, smooth or sparsely hairy.
leaves: Leaves alternate; sessile with hairy, sheathing bases; linear to lance-shaped; 5-15 in. long; smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in terminal clusters with a pair of long, leaf-like bracts with pointy tips spread beneath; blue or purple (occasionally rose or white); about 1 in. wide; with 3 spreading oval petals, 3 hairy sepals and 6 hairy stamens. Individual flower stalks are hairy.
fruits: Fruit a 3-celled, oval capsule.
comments:
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: eastern United States
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