[Illustration: GIANT SPIDERWORT PRAIRIE SPIDERWORT]
Mostly succulent herbs with tuberous or fibrous roots; flowers arising
from a cluster of leaf-like bracts; sepals 3; petals 3; stamens 6; ovary
3-celled; fruit capsular.
Giant Spiderwort (_Tradescantia gigantea_) grows in clumps of stout
stems 2-3 feet high. The numerous flowers on short slender stalks hang
out of a cluster of 2-3 upper leaves which have sac-like bases, velvety
with soft hairs. The 3-petaled flowers vary in color from purplish-blue
to rose or white and close at noon. The 6 stamens are adorned with
lovely violet hairs. It is found in Central Texas in April and May.
The spiderwort group was named for Tradescant, gardener to Charles I. It
is well represented in Texas, all of the many different species being
easy to transplant and making attractive garden plants. The wandering
jew, a well-known spiderwort in cultivation, is a native of South
America.
Prairie Spiderwort (_T. bracteata_) is a smaller plant with bluer
flowers. Ranging from Minnesota to Texas, it has its blooming season in
Texas in April and May.
[Illustration: TEXAS DAYFLOWER WIDOW’S TEARS]
Curly-Leaved Dayflower. Widow’s Tears (_Commelina crispa_) has two large
blue petals and a third, minute, white, and inconspicuous. The upper
three stamens are 4-lobed and sterile, quite different from the 3 lower
pollen-producing stamens, one of which is larger than the others. The
petals are very tender and last only one morning. This dayflower may be
distinguished from several others in the state by its crisped
leaf-margins. It is very common on the South Central Plains from May to
September. The name is given in honor of early Dutch botanists by the
name of Commelyn.
Texas Dayflower (_Commelinantia anomala_) has two large petals like the
dayflowers, but may be distinguished from them by their lavender color
and by having the leaf around the flower-cluster more like the lower
leaves in shape. The three upper stamens are bearded with violet hairs
like those of spiderworts. It grows in rich moist soil in the limestone
hills of the southern part of the state and the adjoining part of
Mexico.