Al Schneider's Rocky Mountains Plant Descriptions

Western Spiderwort
Tradescantia occidentalis
Dayflower/Spiderwort family (Commelinaceae)

Tradescantias have thickened fleshy roots that store enough energy to give rise to very robust, many-flowered plants. The flowers are very attractive and often are used in home gardens. Tradescantia occidentalis grows from just a few inches tall to almost two feet. Leaves are long and Iris-like; flowers are commonly over an inch across in clusters; the plant enjoys sunny openings. This species is not found on the West Slope of Colorado, even though it is found on the east slope, and in New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. It is also found in all other Rocky Mountain states; the very similar T. Ohiensis and T. virginiana are found in all central and eastern states. It is thus a well known . The was named by Linnaeus for John Tradescant, traveler and gardener, considered to be the founder of British gardening.


©2010 Jerry Oldenettel

Description

Erect 8-16" tall. Stems usually erect and smooth. Leaves up to 15" long, narrow, curling. Flowers in clusters at end of main stems, in leaf axils with 2 or 3 long (to 8") leafy subtending. Flowers on long . green or tinged with purple. Petals broadly , blue to magenta with densely hairy . and hairy.

Field Marks

Tall, wispy plant with long narrow curved leaves and brilliant blue-purple three-petaled flowers.

© Al Schneider

A perennial plant lives and blooms for many years.

pedicel -- The stem of a single flower.

ovate -- Oval, egg-shaped, with a tapering point.

Bracts are modified leaves associated with a flower.

Usually green, sepals typically function as protection for the flower in bud, and often as support for the petals when in bloom.

capsule -- a type of simple, dry fruit produced by many species of flowering plants. In most cases the capsule splits apart to release seeds.

genus -- A subdivision of a botanical Family in which all members have a significant number of similar characteristics.

filament -- The stalk of a stamen. Other very narrow, thread-like structures.

oblong -- Having an elongated form with somewhat parallel sides. Rectangular.