By Kim Willis These articles are copyrighted and may not be
copied or used without the permission of the author.
Please let’s not call this plant spider plant, maybe
spiderwort, or dayflower but there are way too many plants with the common name
of spider plant. There are several
closely related species of Tradescantia native to North America and there are
several common tropical species that we use as houseplants (purple heart, inch
plant, Moses in the cradle). In this article I will be talking about the hardy
spiderworts.
Most garden spiderworts are cultivars of Tradescantia virginiana and hybrids of
it with other species of Tradescantia.
Other native spiderworts include Ohio spiderwort-Tradescantia ohiensis, Zigzag Spiderwort (T. subaspera), Hairy-stemmed Spiderwort (T. hirsuticaulis), and the endangered Western
spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis).
Tradescantia get the name spiderwort because when you
break a stem a thick “sap” is released that when dry, is white and silky,
resembling spider webbing. The common
name dayflower comes from the flowers lasting a single day.
Description
Tradescantias are herbaceous perennials, hardy from
southern Canada to Florida. They prefer moist, partly shaded open woodlands but
have been known to become crop weeds also as they spread readily by seed. In the garden they prefer partial shade. They are adaptable to all soil types.
Spiderworts form clumps of plants with long, arching,
narrow blade like leaves often bent down near the middle. They have a slight
fold at the center vein and the leaf base clasps the stem. Normally leaves are deep green, but some
cultivars have golden leaves. Ohio spiderwort may have bluish gray leaves. Ohio spiderwort also has hairs on the stems
near the flowers.
Tradescantia forms clumps of flowers on terminal stems
from May through July. The flowers have
3 petals and a cluster of hairy yellow stamens in the center. The hairs on the
stamens are the subject of much research.
Each flower opens in the morning and lasts only one day, hence the name
dayflower. The flowers are pollinated by
bumblebees and flies.
Flower color is blue to violet normally but rose, pink
and white flowers occasionally occur in the wild and cultivars with those
colors have been developed. At the end of the day the Tradescantia flower melts
into a jelly like blob.
The hairs on the stamens are often used under a
microscope to show students the cytoplasm and nucleus of plant cells. The cells are colored blue normally but when
exposed to radiation they turn pink, making them a biological radiation detector. Spiderworts also have unusual genetic
qualities that make them interesting subjects for plant researchers.
Each spiderwort flower that is fertilized turns into a
3-part seed capsule, about three weeks after the flower fades, it turns papery
when ripe, and splits to distribute the tiny seeds. Seeds can be collected and stored in the
refrigerator for later planting.
Growing
spiderwort
Spiderwort is a good plant for native gardens, for low
maintenance perennial beds and partial shade gardens. It’s attractive in bloom but in late summer,
particularly in hot climates the leaves can begin to die back and fade away.
Gardeners can start spiderworts from purchased plants,
divisions from friends or from seed. Plants are best divided in fall or very
early spring. Fresh seed will germinate
quickly when sown right after collecting but if you are storing seed it needs
to be moist and cold (cold stratification) for a period of a few weeks or more
before planting.
Before collecting spiderwort from the wild remember T. occidentalis is
an endangered or protected species in some places and should not be collected.
Plant spiderwort in partial shade and keep them well
watered for optimum bloom. They can
spread aggressively if they like the location so be prepared to thin them out
if necessary. Fertilization is rarely needed.
 |
| Golden foliage variety |
Spiderwort has no serious disease or insect
problems. Snails and slugs occasionally
feed on the plants. However, many larger things also like to eat them,
including deer and rabbits. They are
non-toxic when eaten but some pets and people get a rash from handling the
plants.
Some common cultivars include ‘Sweet Kate Blue & Gold
Spiderwort’- which has gold leaves and blue flowers, ‘Charlotte's Web' another gold leaved
variety, Tradescantia × andersoniana var. caerulea plena is a double-flowered
variety with dark blue flowers, and Tradescantia cv. ‘Red Grape’ has purple-red
flowers.
Other
uses of Tradescantia
The spiderworts are considered edible, both leaves and
flowers. However, they are not very
tasty according to most who try them.
First Americans are said to have roasted the tiny seeds and ground them
into a bitter flour which was used with other seed flours.
Teas are made from various parts of the plant, dried
roots, leaves and flowers. Dried flowers
were used to stop nose bleeds. The dried roots and leaves were used as a
wormer, to stop diarrhea, or cause vomiting.
They are said to help start late menstruation and to increase the flow
of breast milk. Plant parts are mildly sedative.
Externally plant parts were used to heal wounds, relieve
minor pain and soothe hemorrhoids.
Cautions-
pregnant women should avoid spiderwort remedies. Some people and animals get a painful rash
from eating or handling spiderwort. Use
caution if you experiment with the plant and start with a small amount to see
if you are allergic.
No comments:
Post a Comment