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Tradescantia, spiderwort


Spiderwort ( Tradescantia virginiana plus other species)
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.

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