Bluejacket Spiderwort

Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) is an erect perennial wildflower. Its showy, bluish-purple flowers are three-petaled and born in clusters atop branched stems...
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Spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) is an erect perennial wildflower. Its showy, bluish-purple flowers are three-petaled and born in clusters atop branched stems. Flowers may be blue, purple, pink or even white. Each flower has six dark bluish-purple stamens; the filaments are covered with sticky hairs and the anthers are bright yellow. Leaves are simple, light green and strap-like, giving the plant a grassy appearance, particularly when not in bloom.

Spiderwort is not only attractive, it is also edible. Try the flowers fresh on a salad or candied for a sweet treat. Stems and leaves can be eaten raw and leaves can also be cooked. The leaves are mucilaginous; the “juice” can be used to soothe insect bites in the same way one would use aloe.

Spiderwort is very attractive to bees. And like all species in the dayflower family, it is ephemeral, meaning its flowers stay open only one day. Bluejacket or Ohio spiderwort (T. ohiensis), the most common spiderwort found throughout North and Central Florida.

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