Spiderwort belongs to the Spiderwort family, Commelinaceae.

• Perennial that grows
  4 to16 inches tall and resembles Bracted spiderwort, T. bracteata.
• Leaves are narrow, long, freely branching and folded along the midrib.
• Inflorescence (flowering part of the plant) consists of clustered bluish-purple flowers, three small sepals, three petals and six prominent, yellow stamens (male reproductive organ on a flower).
• Grows in more droughty areas with sandy soil.

Photo Credits: Sherry Skipper, USFWS

Medicinal uses of Spiderwort consist of eating the stems and leaves raw or uncooked. The Dakota used it as a love charm by singing to it as if it were the young lady they wished to charm.

For a co1/14/09

Blooming Times On The Refuge

April-June: Sand lily

May-June: Ball cactus, Prickly pear

May-July: Scarlet butterfly weed, Prairie evening primrose, Blanket flower, Low daisy

May-August: Blue flax, Wine cup

June-August: Rocky Mountain beeplant, Wavy leaved thistle, Blazing star

June-September: Prairie coneflower, Hairy golden aster, Evening star, Sunflower, Scarlet globemallow

July-September: Black eyed susan, Purple prairie aster

NORTHERN PRAIRIE WILDLIFE RESEARCH CENTER