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Native Plant Database

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Tradescantia tharpii (Tharp's spiderwort)
Wasowski, Sally and Andy

Tradescantia tharpii E.S. Anderson & Woods.

Tharp's spiderwort, Dwarf spiderwort

Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)

USDA Symbol: TRTH

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

Tharp’s spiderwort or dwarf spiderwort is a low-growing perennial, usually under 6 in. tall. Its straight, erect stems are rarely branching and the bright-green leaves are long, narrow and widely spreading. A number of three-petaled flowers occur in a terminal cluster. The wide variety of flower colors includes purple, lavender, blue, rose, and pink.

The genus is named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles 1 of England.

Tradescantia species will hybridize in just about any combination.

 

From the Image Gallery

View herbarium specimen from Harry T. Cliffe Bexar Regional Herbarium.

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Size Class: 0-1 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Blue , Purple
Bloom Time: Apr , May

Distribution

USA: KS , MO , OK , TX
Native Distribution: S.w. MO & adjacent KS, s. to n.c. TX
Native Habitat: Prairies & open woodlands
USDA Native Status: L48(N)

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Part Shade
Soil Description: Well-drained clay or sandy loam.
Conditions Comments: This Tradescantia re-blooms periodically throughout summer and, unlike other spiderworts, does not go dormant and brown out during mid-summer.

 

* Available Online from Wildflower Center Store

Bibliography

* Native Texas Plants: Landscaping Region by Region (2002) Wasowski, S. & A. Wasowski
* Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.

Search More Titles in Bibliography

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

Additional resources

USDA: Find Tradescantia tharpii in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Tradescantia tharpii in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tradescantia tharpii

Metadata

Record Modified: 2009-04-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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