Ohio spiderwort, Bluejacket
Tradescantia ohiensis
Commelinaceae


Landscape Uses:

Wildflower gardens, borders.

Ecological Restoration Notes:

Availability:
Widely available in central Florida. Available at native plant nurseries in South Florida. Available in Lake Worth at Amelia's SmartyPlants (561-540-6296).
Description:
Wildflower with a base that appears like a short bunching grass about 1 foot tall. Blue flowers with three petals appear in clusters in the morning and fade by midday.
Height:
Typically one foot in height, as broad as tall.
Growth Rate:
Fast.
Range:
Eastern half of the United States from New Hampshire to Minnesota, south to Texas and Dade county.
Habitats:
Open, disturbed sites.
Soils:
Dry to moist, well-drained sandy soils, without humus.
Nutritional Requirements:
Low; it grows in nutrient poor soils.
Salt Water Tolerance:
Low; does not tolerate long-term flooding by salt or brackish water.
Salt Wind Tolerance:
Moderate; grows near salt water, but is protected from direct salt spray by other vegetation.
Drought Tolerance:
Moderate to high; plants growing in extremely dry soils may die during extended periods of drought.
Light Requirements:
Full sun to light shade.
Flower Color:
Blue to rose.
Flower Characteristics:
Showy.
Flowering Season:
February-September.
Fruit:
Wildlife and Ecology:
Attracts native bees and other beneficial insects.
Horticultural Notes:
Comments:
We have been adding data for this species for central and northern Florida and welcome any feedback or review. If you would like to contribute information or images, please contact George Gann via the IRC staff page. See also the Florida Wildflower Foundation's Flower Friday page.


Dennis de Zeeuw
Dennis de Zeeuw
Dennis de Zeeuw
Keith A. Bradley
Keith A. Bradley