Tradescantia virginiana L.

• Authority

  Gleason, Henry A. & Cronquist, Arthur J. 1991. Manual of vascular plants of northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. lxxv + 910 pp.

• Family

  Commelinaceae

• Scientific Name

  Tradescantia virginiana L.

• Description

  Species Description - Stems straight, erect, 0.5–4 dm at anthesis, glabrous or obscurely puberulent; lvs usually 2–4, elongate, glabrous or nearly so, 5–15 mm wide, rarely wider; bracts often wider and longer than the lvs; cyme terminal and usually solitary; pedicels 15–35 mm, sparsely pilose with eglandular hairs 1 mm; sep 10–15 mm, rather densely villous throughout with eglandular hairs 1–2 mm; pet blue or purple, 12–18 mm; 2n=12, 24. Moist woods and prairies; Me. to Pa., Mich., and Minn., s. to Ga. and Mo. Spring.

• Common Names

  Virginia spiderwort, widow's tears