Tracking Tradescantia

For June’s EcoQuest, let’s look out for prairie spiderwort, or Tradescantia occidentalis. Tradescantia occidentalis is easily recognizable by its three purple-blue petals and leaves with parallel venation. Prairie spiderwort is often found in sandy soil in the eastern plains and lower foothills. Tradescantia is a member of the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae), a primarily tropical and subtropical family, with some species extending into North and South American temperate zones. The common name, spiderwort, comes from the weblike fibers that are exposed when a leaf or stem is broken. Commelinaceae are typically characterized by succulent stems, parallel veins and sheathing leaves. The petals sometimes have a sparkly appearance—like they are encrusted with tiny jewels! Although mostly tropical, many plants within this family are commonly used as houseplants in temperate zones.

In Colorado, there are only three species of Commelinaceae—two Commelina (dayflowers) and Tradescantia occidentalis, but only Tradescantia is located within the Denver metro area. Tradescantia is named for John Tradescantia, a well-known English gardener and botanist, who had a strange collection of curiosities. These curiosities were opened to the public in 1634 and formed the first public museum in England. The stems and leaves of prairie spiderwort are considered edible and used in salads. This species is also used medicinally–the roots are considered a laxative and are used in tea for stomachaches, while the leaves are used as a poultice to treat insect bites. The flowers open in the morning and turn into a jelly-like substance following bloom.

See if you can locate some prairie spiderwort and help Denver Botanic Gardens document their flowering period by photographing as many plants as possible in the month of June. Post your findings to iNaturalist so they will automatically be added to the Denver EcoFlora Project.

Posted on June 1, 2023 04:11 PM by alissa_iverson