Spiderworts are named for the resemblance of their leaves to a squatting spider.
The genus Tradescantia is named for John Tradescant, a gardener for Charles I of England.
There are about 71 species.
Identification: Virginia spiderworts are 8-36″ (20-91 cm) high.
Leaves are long and narrow, dark or olive green, with parallel veins, like wide grass blades. They are
up to 1′ (30 cm) × 1″ (2.5 cm).
Flowers are blue or purple, ¾-2″ (1.9-5 cm) in diameter, with three petals and six stamens, each with yellow anthers. There are two bracts beneath each flower. Each flower lasts only a single day.
Here are a few species:
6/5/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 12 × 8″ (31 × 21 cm)
6/22/2017 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (20 × 13 cm) ID is uncertain
Up to 2′ (60 cm) tall. Has smooth stems with several joints
8-20″ (20-50 cm) high
8-36″ (20-91 cm) high
Flowers
Bright blue to rose or purple, about ¾″ (1.9 cm) in diameter, with three petals and six stamens with yellow anthers.
Blue to purple flowers about ¾″ (1.9 cm) in diameter, with six stamens with yellow anthers. Small hairs are on various parts of the flower. All petals are equal in size.
Blue or purple, ¾-2″ (1.9-5 cm) in diameter, with three petals and six stamens, each with yellow anthers. There are two bracts beneath each flower
Leaves
Long and narrow, with a whitish covering
2-5″ (5-12 cm) long, sometimes much longer, and narrow, like blades of grass
Long and narrow, dark or olive green, with parallel veins, like wide grass blades. Up to 1′ (30 cm) × 1″ (2.5 cm)
Range/ Zones
USDA Zones: 4-9
Habitats
Plains, prairies, disturbed sites
Open brush, woods and wooded slopes, especially pine woods
Prairies, thickets, woodland edges, power line clearences
Type
Wild
Wild
Wild
Occurrence
Common
Common
Common
Edibility: Leaves and stems are edible, either fresh or cooked.