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Native Plant Society of Texas

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Giant Spiderwort

Tradescantia gigantea

Other common name(s):

Family:

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

Cross Timbers, Edwards Plateau, Texas Blackland Prairies
Limestone Cut Plain
Balcones Canyonlands, Edwards Plateau Woodland
Northern Blackland Prairie, Southern Blackland Prairie

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

0
to
1
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Rocky, Rich, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland, Wetland or Riparian, Variable

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Pink, Blue, Purple, Violet

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Forage, Nectar, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Butterflies, Deer, Bees

Maintenance

Low maintenance. Spreads easily so give it some room. Grows in a wide variety of soils. Will tolerate full sun. Propagation: Clump division. Seed.

Comments

Blooms March-May. Endemic to Central Texas. Prefers woodland edges. Stems erect with 3 to 5 nodes. Long, narrow leaves growing from base and stem nodes. It has a three-petal flower with slender, yellow hairy stamens that are clumped at the end of stems. The flower color can be an indicator of the PH of the soil. Acidic soils produce bluer flowers, while more alkaline soils create varying shades of pink and purple. Tradescantia species will hybridize in just about any combination. Special value to bees.

References

1) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=7735&locationType=County&mapType=Normal 2) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt 3) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=TRGI, 4) https://warcapps.usgs.gov/PlantID/Species/Details/632, 5) https://garden.org/plants/view/85719/Giant-Spiderwort-Tradescantia-gigantea/, 6) http://www.texaswildbuds.com/tradescantia-gigantea.html

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Contact a local Chapter

State Office Phone: 830.997.9272

State Office Address:
Native Plant Society of Texas
PO Box 3017
Fredericksburg, TX 78624

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