Ohio Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis)

APRIL-JUNE

Spiderwort Tradescantia ohiensis Raf. (SPIDERWORT FAMILY)

Spiderwort is an erect, glabrous perennial with mucilaginous sap. The alternate sessile leaves are long and narrowly linear, often with a whitish bloom. The inflorescence is a terminal umbellike cyme subtended by reflexed, leafy bracts. The flowers are 3-merous, with 3 green sepals and 3 blue to rose petals. The fruit is a 3-celled capsule. One colorful common name, "cow slobbers," has been given this plant because of the strings of mucilaginous sap.