Spiderwort (either Ohio or Virginia Spiderwort)

Description:

Tradescantia (/ˌtrædəˈskæntiə/) is a genus of 75 species of herbaceous perennial wildflowers in the family Commelinaceae, native to the New World from southern Canada to northern Argentina, including the West Indies. Members of the genus are known by the common names wandering jew and spiderwort. Other names used for various species include spider-lily, cradle-lily, oyster-plant, and flowering inch plant. The common name wandering Jew is controversial for its anti-Semitic origin. Tradescantia grow 30–60 cm tall (1–2 ft), and are commonly found individually or in clumps in wooded areas and open fields. A number of species are nyctinastic. They were introduced into Europe as ornamental plants in the 17th century and are now grown in many parts of the world. Some species have become naturalized in regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia, and on some oceanic islands. The genus's many species are of interest to cytogenetics because of evolutionary changes in the structure and number of their chromosomes. They have also been used as bioindicators for the detection of environmental mutagens. Some species have become pests to cultivated crops and considered invasive.