A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Tradescantia
Upright to sprawling, clump-forming perennial, to 3 feet. Long, grass-like leaves. Flowers in clusters, each flower having 3 petals.
Various soils of disturbed areas, prairies, plains, meadows, and openings in woods.
The young stems and leaves can be steamed and eaten, and the flowers used in salads. Spiderwort plants are also helping scientists to detect small levels of radiation and certain other pollutants. The genetically dominant blue cells in the stamens turn pink 8-18 days after exposure to such substances and can be seen under an ordinary microscope.
No Comments