Virginia spiderwort
ExplorePlants
Virginia spiderwort
Tradescantia virginiana
Virginia spiderwort is a beautiful flower with long, green leaves and bright blue or purple blooms. It loves to grow in sunny spots and can be found in gardens and fields.
Habitat: Fields and gardens
Appearance
The Virginia spiderwort has striking three-petaled flowers, typically vibrant purple-blue, but sometimes pink or white. These delicate blossoms emerge from grass-like, linear leaves, forming clumps in gardens and wild spaces. Its unique flower shape helps it stand out.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassLiliopsidaOrderCommelinalesFamilyCommelinaceaeGenusTradescantia
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Each flower lasts one day, but fresh new ones grow every morning!
Its sticky sap stretches like spiderwebs when stems break, earning its name!
Its tiny stamen hairs are fantastic for seeing plant cells under a microscope!
You can eat its fresh leaves and flowers; they taste a bit like spinach!
Special abilities
Ability
Daily Bloom Turnover
Virginia spiderwort has delicate flowers that quickly dissolve after blooming, making way for fresh new ones each day!
Ability
Sticky Shield
Virginia spiderwort has sticky sap in its stems that helps deter hungry insects from taking a bite.
Ability
Sun & Shade Tolerant
Its vibrant flowers open and close daily, protecting delicate parts from strong sun and conserving energy.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 30-60 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-4 cm
- Bloom Season
- Spring to early summer
- Edible
- Yes
- Toxicity
- None
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen
pollinates
Common eastern bumble bee
Bombus impatiens
feeds on rich nectar
eaten by
White-tailed deer
Odocoileus virginianus
sometimes browses on foliage
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Spring Blooming
Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always look but don't touch flowers without asking an adult.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Virginia spiderwort?
30-90 cm
How wide does Virginia spiderwort spread?
30-60 cm
How big are the flowers on Virginia spiderwort?
2-4 cm
When does Virginia spiderwort bloom?
Spring to early summer
Is Virginia spiderwort edible?
Yes
Is Virginia spiderwort toxic?
None
What is Virginia spiderwort's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Virginia spiderwort pollinated?
Insect
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