Virginia spiderwort Tradescantia virginiana Kingdom: Plantae FEATURES Division: Magnoliophyta The Virginia spiderwort is a perennial plant that Class: Liliopsida grows from roots. Its upright stems may be two and Order: Commelinales one-half feet tall. Each slender leaf may be 12 inches long and one inch wide. Flowers develop in clusters Family: Commelinaceae or singly at the tip of the stem. Each flower may be ILLINOIS STATUS two inches wide. The three petals per flower are blue, purple, rose or white and do not last long. The common, native fruit is a capsule, about one-half inch long. When © Tracy Evans mature, it splits open into three segments with not more than 12 seeds. BEHAVIORS The Virginia spiderwort may be found in the southern two-thirds of Illinois. This plant grows in woods and prairies. It flowers from late April through early June. flowers ILLINOIS RANGE plant with flowers © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2017. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © John Hilty leaves central-stem and leaves © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2017. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. © John Hilty close-up of flowers Aquatic Habitats bottomland forests Woodland Habitats bottomland forests; southern Illinois lowlands; upland deciduous forests Prairie and Edge Habitats black soil prairie; edge; hill prairie © Illinois Department of Natural Resources. 2017. Biodiversity of Illinois. Unless otherwise noted, photos and images © Illinois Department of Natural Resources..