Tradescantia ohiensis
(Ohio Spiderwort)
Common Names
Ohio spiderwort and bluejacket.
Latin Name
Tradescantia ohiensis
Family
It is in the Commelinaceae, or dayflower, family.
Form
This perennial wildflower grows to a height of about two feet and just about as wide.
Leaves
The leaves are linear with entire margins and are folded lengthwise. A gelatinous sap is released when they are cut.
Flowers
The blue flowers appear late winter, spring, summer and fall.
Habitat
It occurs naturally in moist ditches, moist meadows, riparian areas, and disturbed sites.
Native Range
It is native to the following states: AL, AR, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, NC, NE, NH, NJ, NY, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, TN, TX, VA, WI, and WV.
Landscape Use
In the home landscape it can be grown in full sun to part shade with average to moist soils. It flowers best in full sun.
Wildlife Uses
The flowers are a favorite of bees and it is a bumblebee favorite, and the seeds are eaten by songbirds.
Propagation
It can be grown with seeds or transplants. When transplanting remove any flowering stalks to help reduce the shock to the specimen.
Seeds for sale!