How to identify Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)

How to identify Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)

Virginia spiderwort, also known as Spider lily

Virginia spiderwort is a perennial herb forming upright clumps through horizontal underground roots known as stolons. The plant typically reaches heights of 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) and spreads about 1 foot (30 cm) wide. It features lance-shaped leaves grouped in sparse clumps and is characterized by its distinctive tri-petaled flowers that are ephemeral, typically lasting only a day. The blooms exhibit radiant colors, which may include various shades of purple or blue, adding to its appeal. These floral characteristics alongside its clumping growth habit provide essential clues for its identification.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Herb

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Virginia spiderwort

Tri-petaled ephemeral flowers in radiant blues and purples, lasting only a day.

Linear leaves with parallel venation, up to 12 inches (30 cm) long, 1 inch (2.5 cm) wide.

Textured seed capsules split into three parts upon maturity, releasing seeds.

Upright clumping growth habit via stolons, reaching 2-3 feet (60-90 cm) tall.

Rounded, glabrous green stems, occasionally with sparse hairs near leaf junctions.

Detailed Traits of Virginia spiderwort

Leaf Features

The leaves of virginia spiderwort are linear with a wide base and pointed tip, and they measure up to 12 inches (30 cm) in length and 1 inch (2.5 cm) in width. They exhibit a dark to olive-green color and have smooth margins. The leaves feature parallel venation, contributing to their distinctive linear appearance.

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Flower Features

The flowers of virginia spiderwort feature three bright, jewel-toned petals ranging from blue to violet, measuring about 1 inch (2.5 cm) across. Delicate spider web-like filaments surround the yellow-tipped anthers, creating a striking visual contrast. These flowers grow in terminal clusters and have a subtle fragrance. Blooming occurs primarily in spring and can happen again in fall. The unique arrangement and vibrant color make these flowers identifiable and appealing to novice plant enthusiasts.

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Stem Features

The stem of virginia spiderwort is rounded and typically glabrous, meaning it has a smooth surface without hairs. However, sporadic long hairs can be found where the leaves envelop the stem. These stems may be either unbranched or branched at the base, giving rise to multiple stalks. The color is usually green, and the texture is smooth, providing a sleek appearance. The stems range in thickness but are generally slender, supporting the plant efficiently.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of virginia spiderwort is a textured seed capsule that exhibits a tripartite splitting mechanism upon maturity. On opening, each segment liberates its seeds, ensuring propagation. These capsules often bear a greenish to brownish hue, aligning with the plant's natural color palette, and have a dry, husk-like quality to their exterior. While the size of the capsules is generally modest, they are a distinctive characteristic for species identification. Their shape, texture, and dehiscence pattern are key markers for both the novice enthusiast and the experienced botanist.

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Virginia spiderwort and Their Similar Plants

Silver inch plant vs. Virginia spiderwort: What's The Difference?

The silver inch plant is a popular trailing plant known for its attractive foliage with zebra-like stripes of green, silver, and purple. Tradescantia zebrina is very easy to care for and can be hung or placed indoors. The plant grows fast; the creeping stems bear roots along the way, making it suitable as ground cover.

Oyster plant vs. Virginia spiderwort: What's The Difference?

Native to Belize, Guatemala, and Mexico, the oyster plant is widely cultivated as a garden plant and naturalized in the southeastern United States. Though there is no ecological damage observed, oyster plant is considered to be invasive in Florida and Louisiana due to its amount.

Small-leaf spiderwort vs. Virginia spiderwort: What's The Difference?

Tradescantia fluminensis is a ground cover plant that is most commonly found as a houseplant. This plant has oval leaves that are dark green and glossy. It will root anywhere a node is on the surface, which earns it some of its other common names, like wandering Willie and wandering gypsy.

Ohio spiderwort vs. Virginia spiderwort: What's The Difference?

Tradescantia ohiensis is named after John Tradescant (1608 - 1662), the gardener to King Charles 1. This cheerful blue flowering plant is common along roadsides, in ditches and makes a great addition to any garden. It has a unique tendency to bloom in the morning and then close in the afternoon sun.

White velvet vs. Virginia spiderwort: What's The Difference?

White velvet (Tradescantia sillamontana) is a perennial evergreen species native to northeastern Mexico. White velvet can grow in areas with very little water and is one of the most drought-tolerant species in its genus. This species won't flower if it is given too much water or too much shade. White velvet is a popular plant in ornamental rock gardens in subtropical regions and in Europe.

Zigzag spiderwort vs. Virginia spiderwort: What's The Difference?

Zigzag spiderwort (Tradescantia subaspera) is an herbaceous perennial flowering species native to the United States. Zigzag spiderwort can be damaged by snails when the plant's shoots are new. This species gives off a silky, threadlike stem secretion that resembles a spider's web, which is how it got its common name.

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Key Facts About Virginia spiderwort

Attributes of Virginia spiderwort

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Height

45 cm to 75 cm

Spread

30 cm to 45 cm

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

1.9 cm to 4 cm

Flower Color

Purple

Blue

White

Pink

Lavender

Stem Color

Green

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Scientific Classification of Virginia spiderwort

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Monocotyledons

Order

Spiderworts and allies

Family

Spiderwort

Genus

Spiderworts

Species

Virginia spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana)

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Distribution Map of Virginia spiderwort

Virginia spiderwort is native to the eastern United States where it is often found growing in meadows and open woods. It has been widely used as a garden ornamental and introduced into California, as well as Spain, Italy, and the Transcaucasus.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Virginia spiderwort

A Comprehensive Guide to Virginia spiderwort How to Grow and Care for Virginia spiderwort