Tradescantia virginiana - Spiderwort

Family:	Commelinaceae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.35
Synonyms:	T. virginica.
Range:	Eastern N. America - Connecticut to Wisconsin, south to Georgia and Tennessee.

Tradescantia virginiana (Spiderwort) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.35m . It has a hardness rating of 7.
Spiderwort will flower in December to April. the seeds ripen from February to April
The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by

Soil Information

Spiderwort will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is not necessary for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Spiderwort prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Spiderwort can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Woods, scrub, meadows and roadsides[43, 187].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant[233], it thrives in any good rather moist soil[1, 111]. Succeeds in dry soils[188]. Succeeds in dappled woodland shade[88, 111] or in full sun[111]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[1]. Plants often self-sow in British gardens[1]. A very variable species, there are a number of named forms selected for their ornamental value[1]. Plants in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Plants are self-sterile, at least two genetically distinct plants (and not divisions from the same plant) must be grown if seed is required.

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - raw or cooked[61, 103, 105, 213, 257]. The very young shoots and leaves can be chopped and added to salads or cooked as a potherb[183]. Flowers - raw. They make an attractive edible garnish[183].

• Flowers -
• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The roots are laxative[222]. They are also used as a tea in the treatment of kidney and stomach ailments and women's complaints[222, 257]. A poultice of the leaves is applied to stings, insect bites and cancers[222, 257].

• Kidney - Used in the treatment of kidney diseases
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• Poultice - A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
• Women's complaints - A very vague title, it deals with a miscellany of problems peculiar to the female sex.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring or autumn[111]. Cuttings of young shoots, July in a frame. They root easily and quickly.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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