SPIDERWORT FAMILY
Reading edition
Spider Lily Tradescantia virginiana
Plate 42, fig. 2
The pink or blue-purple flowers of the Spider Lily open in the morning and wither soon afterwards. They are grouped in open clusters 76 on stiff stems with long, grass-like leaves, and bloom from spring to midsummer. The plants grow in clumps, 1-5 ft. tall, on prairies and foot-hills at 3000-7000 ft. The common name refers to the cobwebby hairs on the stamens. The Spider Lily should certainly be cultivated in home gardens.