Western Spiderwort
探検植物
Western Spiderwort
tradescantia occidentalis
Western Spiderwort (Tradescantia occidentalis) is an eye-catching perennial wildflower native to the prairies, dry woodlands, and sandy soils of central and western North America. Renowned for its delicate, striking blue to purple three-petaled blooms, it is a favorite among wildflower enthusiasts and a vital pollen source for native insects. Interestingly, the plant's ephemeral flowers usually open in the early morning and melt into a soft jelly by midday under the hot sun, a fascinating process known as deliquescence. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the Western Spiderwort has a unique scientific claim to fame: the microscopic hairs on its stamens are highly sensitive to radiation and can mutate from blue to pink in the presence of gamma rays or other ionizing radiation, making the plant a natural bioindicator.
生息地: Found primarily in dry prairies, sandy or rocky meadows, roadside ditches, and open woodlands across central and western North America.
外見
The Western Spiderwort features distinct, vibrant, three-petaled flowers that range in color from deep violet-blue to magenta or even pale pink, adorned with bright yellow, fluffy anthers in the center. Its stems are erect, jointed, and somewhat fleshy, growing up to 60 centimeters tall. The leaves are long, narrow, and grass-like, with a grayish-green tint, often folding lengthwise down the middle. When a stem or leaf is broken, it secretes a viscous, thread-like sap that resembles spider silk.
界Plantae門Tracheophyta綱Liliopsida目Commelinales科Commelinaceae属Tradescantia
カテゴリ
植物レア度
Common
危険度
1/5 · 非常に低い
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おもしろい事実
Because of its sensitivity to radiation, the plant has actually been planted near nuclear facilities in the past to act as a living radiation detector.
Despite attracting many bees and flies with bright colors, Western Spiderwort flowers don't produce any nectar; visitors come strictly for the rich pollen.
The name 'Spiderwort' likely comes from the plant's stringy, viscous sap that resembles a spider's web when you snap a stem in half.
Western Spiderwort flowers are 'ephemeral,' meaning each bloom lasts for only a single morning before turning into a jelly-like liquid.
特殊能力
能力
Radiation Bioindicator
The stamen hairs of the flower mutate from blue to pink when exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation.
能力
Floral Deliquescence
The petals undergo autolysis and dissolve into a jelly-like fluid by midday under intense heat to conserve resources.
能力
Mucilaginous Sap
It produces a sticky, stringy sap when its stems or leaves are broken, which helps seal wounds and deter herbivores.
サイズと詳細
- 長さ
- 15-60 cm
- 寿命
- 3-10 年
食性と食事
As a photosynthetic plant, the Western Spiderwort produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
主な食物
- Sunlight
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
- Carbon Dioxide
採餌方法
- Photosynthesis
生態系とのつながり
pollinator
Western Bumble Bee
Bombus occidentalis
Pollinates the flowers while gathering pollen, as spiderworts do not produce nectar.
eaten by
Mule Deer
Odocoileus hemionus
Grazes on the succulent foliage and stems of the plant.
pollinator
Margined Calligrapher
Toxomerus marginatus
Hoverflies commonly visit the morning flowers to consume and distribute pollen.
特徴
このオブジェクトにはまだ特徴バッジが割り当てられていません。
別名
まだ別名はありません。
コレクション
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安全性
危険度
1/5 · 非常に低い
まだ特別な安全上の注意はありません。
よくある質問
Western Spiderwortを見分けるには？
Western Spiderwortを識別する最も簡単な方法は、Snappit自然識別アプリを使用することです。
Western Spiderwortの長さは何ですか？
15-60 cm
Western Spiderwortの寿命は何ですか？
3-10 年
Western Spiderwortは何を食べますか？
As a photosynthetic plant, the Western Spiderwort produces its own food using sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide.
Western Spiderwortは通常どこに生息していますか？
Found primarily in dry prairies, sandy or rocky meadows, roadside ditches, and open woodlands across central and western North America.
Western Spiderwortはどのように狩りをしますか？
Photosynthesis
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