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The Spiderwort family "dayflower" was introduced to North America from Asia. The plants produce a flower that remains for about 24 hours and then fades to make way for the next blossom, thus the name. All varieties of spiderwort form dense colonies or communities, thus the name, Communis. The Latin also refers to the scientific name, Commelin, in honor of the brothers who first discovered and described the plant. The story goes that two botanist brothers became well known in their profession and are represented by the large blue petals of the flower. A third brother died without distinguishing himself, but he was recognized nevertheless by the small insignificant petal that is barely visible under the blossom filaments. |
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(Commelina communis)  |
(C. erecta)  |
| The Slender Dayflower has very small blossoms and may stand erect or recline, depending on its location. This may become a pest in the flower garden if not kept under control. This variety has no fixed bloom cycle and is most often thought of as a "nuisance geranium" as it sprawls and takes over wherever it gets a toe-hold. Once established the hair-like roots may be difficult to eradicate. |
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(Tradescantia subaspera)  |
(T. ohienis)  |
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Zig-Zag Spiderwort and Tall Spiderwort are virtually identical except for stem arrangement. Zig-Zag is just what it says, zig-zagging at every node. Tall Spiderwort usually stands erect from node to node. Also, occasionally there is a color variance; whereas Tall Spiderwort is usually dark blue Zig-Zag is pale. The Tall Spiderwort is prevalent in the Escambia. Pink Spiderwort is simply a variety of the Tall Spiderwort group. |
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(Tradescantia ohienis)  |
(T. rosea)  |
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All members of the family are easily transplanted, which is hardly necessary as given time the plant will find you and could become a garden pest; however, since the Asian Dayflower is not given to spreading beyond it's community it could be a worthwhile addition to any butterfly garden and worthy of transplanting. The pink variety of spiderwort is not as fragrant or widespread as the blue, but is quite common along the Alabama/Florida state line and is known throughout the Coastal Plain. Its preferred habitat is damp woods and meadows. However, given moist and rich humus it takes advantage of every opportunity to compete and may achieve heights of 36 inches or more. Purple Spiderwort was given its unusual name because new growth leaves and stems are purple. This plant offers itself to either the flower garden or may be trained and cultivated in a beautiful hanging basket arrangement. The name "spiderwort" came about when the scientist who identified the family looked down onto the angular leaf arrangement and it suggested to him a spider crouching at the tip of the stem; as well as the flower sitting atop a spider-like nest of leaves, coupled with the same arrangement within the flower. |
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