Itsy Bitsy Spiderwort

Last week a friend and I decided to take a walk through Crescent Bend Park. 

We came across many lovely flowers and creatures but what stood out among them all was Spiderwort.

 Actually Texas Spiderwort or Tradescantia humilis Rose. It grows from March through June and has blossoms that range in color from white, pink, purples and a very vivid blue.

Tradescantia gets its name from English naturalists and explorers John Tradescant the Elder 

                                

       John Tradescant the elder (portrait attributed to Cornelis de Neve)

and John Tradescant the Younger. 

                            

Portrait of John Tradescant the younger, attributed to Thomas De Critz (1607-1653)

The Younger made three trips to The New World, Virginia and in 1629 returned with the plant introducing it to England. Both men served as gardeners to Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France.

This week enjoy Spiderwort.