Seed collected from MPF’s Stilwell Prairie. Photo: Scott Lenharth

Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)

Distinguishing Characteristics

Juvenile stem and leaves with long, fine hairs. Bluish to silvery-green. Base of leaves tapering to a sheath that wraps around the stem.

Height

Up to 3 feet

Blooms

May to July

Description

Flowers are in clusters. Size of petals varies and flowers may be 3/4 to 1½ inches across in a triangular shape. Flower color may be blue, rose, purple, lavender or rarely white.

Comments

Common in prairies and savannas ranging from dry to mesic. Variety of habitats from prairies and old fields to woodland edges. Blooms for more than a month, despite individual flowers lasting only a day. Seeds mature at various times, making seed harvest difficult. Easy to establish from seed when used in restoration projects. 

small tan seeds next to ruler showing size.

Seeds (scale is in 1/16 inch increments)

small green seedling

Seedling

Sall green plant with opp leaves

Juvenile

Sall green plant with opp leaves

Distinguishing Characteristics

Sall green plant with opp leaves

Mature

Skip to content