SPIDERWORT

any member of the genus Tradescantia (family Commelinaceae), which includes 20 or more erect to trailing, weak-stemmed herbs native to North and South America. Several species are grown as indoor plants in baskets, especially the wandering Jews (T. albiflora and T. fluminensis); among other slight differences, the former is green-leaved and the latter has purplish underleaves. White velvet, or white-gossamer (T. sillamontana), has leaves and stems covered with a whitish fuzz. Flowering inch plant (T. blossfeldiana), with leaves green and smooth above, purplish and fuzzy beneath, has purplish hairy blossoms. The chain plant (T. navicularis) has fleshy, narrow, lengthwise-folded leaves about 2.5 cm (1 inch) long. T. andersoniana comprises a complex series of garden hybrids. Also grown in the garden is the common spiderwort, or widow's tears (T. virginiana), an upright juicy-stemmed plant with white to purple flowers. The spiderworts are of extremely easy culture, taking root readily from cuttings, and thus are very popular indoor plants. Certain species resemble but should not be confused with Zebrina species.