Family: Commelinaceae
blue-jacket, common spiderwort, smooth spiderwort
[Tradescantia canaliculata Raf., more...]
Kitty Kohout
Christopher Noll
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Tradescantia: after John Tradescant, Sr. (c. 1570 - c. 1637), English gardener to King Charles I
Plants: erect, perennial, 16"-40" tall forb with sticky juice; stems slender, mostly straight, smooth with white powder on the surface, often branching
Leaves: linear, flat, firm, smooth, usually less than 1/3" wide; base obviously surrounding the stem
Flowers: blue to pink (occasionally white), 3-parted, 1" wide, petals alike, sepals mostly smooth and often with red edges; inflorescence terminal cluster (cyme) with 2 long, leaf-like bracts below; blooms April-July
Fruits: papery, round capsule
Habitat: full to partial sun; dry, moderate moisture, to wet; roadsides, meadows, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Plants: erect, perennial, 16"-40" tall forb with sticky juice; stems slender, mostly straight, smooth with white powder on the surface, often branching
Leaves: linear, flat, firm, smooth, usually less than 1/3" wide; base obviously surrounding the stem
Flowers: blue to pink (occasionally white), 3-parted, 1" wide, petals alike, sepals mostly smooth and often with red edges; inflorescence terminal cluster (cyme) with 2 long, leaf-like bracts below; blooms April-July
Fruits: papery, round capsule
Habitat: full to partial sun; dry, moderate moisture, to wet; roadsides, meadows, prairies; in sandy, loamy soil
Conservation Status: Native
Flora of North America: Flora of North America Floristic Rating: Coefficient of Conservatism = 5, Wetland Indicator = FACU+ Atlas of the Wisconsin Prairie and Savanna Flora: by T.S. Cochrane & H.H. Iltis: habitat, distribution infomation / flowering and fruiting times USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Christopher Noll
Aaron_Carlson
Kitty Kohout
Aaron Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
John M. Schoeneker
Merel R. Black
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Christopher Noll
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Merel R. Black
Aaron Carlson
Aaron_Carlson
Margery Melgaard
Aaron Carlson
