Tradescantia occidentalis
(Prairie Spiderwort)
Tradescantia occidentalis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9416
Tradescantia occidentalis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9428
Tradescantia occidentalis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9425
Tradescantia occidentalis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9432
Tradescantia occidentalis, Picture Canyon, Comanche National Grassland, Baca Co. 9434
| Scientific Name | Tradescantia occidentalis | USDA PLANTS Symbol | TROC |
| Common Name | Prairie Spiderwort | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 39168 |
| Family | Commelinaceae (Spiderwort) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description | Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 7800 ft.); sandy or rocky soils in prairies, fields, woodlands and roadsides. Plant: Prostrate to erect perennial with smooth, often branching stems 2 inches to 3 feet tall. Leaves: Narrow linear-lanceolate, grass-like, hairless basal and stem leaves 2 to 21 inches long; pointed tips; edges often rolled up. Inflorescence: A few to many flowers in terminal cymes and sometimes in leaf nodes, blossoms about 1 inch across with three broad, rounded petals, light blue to purple-rose; yellow anthers; blossoms on pedicels up to 1-1/4 inches long subtended by two leaf-like bracts up to 8 inches long; bracts, sepals and pedicels covered in short, fine hairs. Bloom Period: May to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, "Wildflowers of Texas" by Michael Eason, "Manual of the Vascular Plants of Texas" by Correll and Johnston, American Southwest and SEINet. |
BONAP Distribution Map Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2024
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains