genus
Spiderworts
Tradescantia
Field notes
Tradescantia () is a genus of 85 species of herbaceous perennial wildflowers in the family Commelinaceae, native to the Americas from southern Canada to northern Argentina, including the West Indies. Members of the genus are known by many common names, including inchplant, wandering jew, wandering dude, spiderwort, dayflower and trad.
Tradescantia grow 30–60 cm tall (1–2 ft), and are commonly found individually or in clumps in wooded areas and open fields. They were introduced into Europe as ornamental plants in the 17th century and are now grown in many parts of the world. Some species have become naturalized in regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and on some oceanic islands.
The genus's many species are of interest to cytogenetics because of evolutionary changes in the structure and number of their chromosomes. They have also been used as bioindicators for the detection of environmental mutagens. Some species have become pests to cultivated crops and considered invasive.
Read more on WikipediaChildren
Range
Greener is more native, amber more introduced; paler is less certain. How this was decided
Key traits
- Layer
- Shrubs
- Plant type
- Annual Perennial Shrub Wildflower
From USDA PLANTS.
Top native spiderworts All
Native to the US, ranked by caterpillars, then bees and other hosts, food, flowers and shelter.
-
Virginia Spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
caterpillars
3
food
3
flowers
60
-
Hairyflower Spiderwort
Tradescantia hirsutiflora
caterpillars
2
food
3
flowers
19
-
Ohio Spiderwort
Tradescantia ohiensis
caterpillars
1
food
3
flowers
39
-
Western Spiderwort
Tradescantia occidentalis
caterpillars
1
food
3
flowers
27
-
Giant Spiderwort
Tradescantia gigantea
caterpillars
1
food
3
flowers
20
-
Zigzag Spiderwort
Tradescantia subaspera
caterpillars
1
food
3
flowers
19
-
Hairystem Spiderwort
Tradescantia hirsuticaulis
caterpillars
1
food
3
flowers
19
-
Tharp's Spiderwort
Tradescantia tharpii
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
16
-
Stemless Spiderwort
Tradescantia subacaulis
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
14
-
Texas Spiderwort
Tradescantia humilis
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
14
-
Reverchon's Spiderwort
Tradescantia reverchonii
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
14
-
Wooly Spiderwort
Tradescantia sillamontana
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
13
-
Plateau Spiderwort
Tradescantia edwardsiana
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
11
-
Edwards Plateau Spiderwort
Tradescantia pedicellata
caterpillars
1
food
2
flowers
11
-
Longbract Spiderwort
Tradescantia bracteata
food
2
flowers
21