Native Plants
Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.
Tradescantia bracteata
Tradescantia bracteata Small
Bracted Spiderwort, Long-bract Spiderwort
Commelinaceae (Spiderwort Family)
Synonym(s):
USDA Symbol: trbr
USDA Native Status: L48 (N)
Erect, stout, usually unbranched stems, 10-18 in. tall. Grass-like leaves. Several flowers in clusters at top of stem, subtended by bracts similar to stem leaves. Three blue-violet petals and six stamens tipped with bright yellow anthers. Long-bract spiderwort flowers close by midday and last only one day.
Named after John Tradescant (1608-1662) who served as gardener to Charles I of England.
Tradescantia species will hybridize in just about any combination.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: PerennialHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Venation: Parallel
Leaf Margin: Entire
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 18 inches tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: Blue , PurpleBloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul
Distribution
USA: AR , IA , IL , IN , KS , LA , MA , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , ND , NE , OH , OK , SD , WI , WYNative Distribution: WI to s.e. MT, s. to AR & OK
Native Habitat: Moist to dry prairies
Growing Conditions
Light Requirement: Part ShadeSoil Moisture: Moist
Soil Description: Moist to dry soils
Conditions Comments: Tradescantia species will hybridize in just about any combination.
Value to Beneficial Insects
Special Value to Native BeesThis information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.
Propagation
Description: Plant treated seed in fall. Seed germinates best in cool soils. A faster method of propagation is divide a large clump into several pieces. Divide in early fall or very early spring. Stem cuttings may be taken any time during the growing season. RemoSeed Collection: The small light-green capsule, surrounded by three green bracts is mature 2-3 weeks after flowering. A few days prior to splitting, the capsule becomes dry and papery. Collecting seeds is easiest by tying a small bag around the unsplit capsule. Store in sealed, refrigerated containers.
Seed Treatment: Cold-moist stratify for 120 days.
Commercially Avail: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FAC | UPL | FACU | FACU | FACU | FAC |
Bibliography
Bibref 946 - Gardening with Prairie Plants: How to Create Beautiful Native Landscapes (2002) Wasowski, SallyBibref 328 - Wildflowers of Texas (2003) Ajilvsgi, Geyata.
Search More Titles in Bibliography
Web Reference
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.Additional resources
USDA: Find Tradescantia bracteata in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Tradescantia bracteata in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Tradescantia bracteata
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-01-26Research By: TWC Staff