Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Tradescantia

Tradescantia

1 8.5
A plant that people grow for its bright flowers and pretty leaves
  • noun
  • /ˌtrædɪˈskæntiə/
  • Specialized
: Tradescantia
  • The vibrant flowers of Tradescantia add a splash of color to the garden.
  • spiderwort (Tradescantia)
  • Tradescantia virginiana

Examples

  • Now we can see the blood banana, the hanging Tradescantia, and the other Malabar spinach on the single-pole trellis next to the air conditioner—lots more.

    Blog text (22)

  • Wandering Jews (Zebrina pendula and Tradescantia species) are vines and root rapidly from cuttings.

    Academic text (2001)

  • A 1902 survey of the plants of Oklahoma lists Tradescantia virginiana as being present, although this was likely a misidentification based on modern botanical descriptions (Van Vleet 1902).

    Academic text (2011)

  • My grandmother loves her Tradescantia plants because of their beautiful foliage.

  • During spring, the Tradescantia blooms attract many butterflies and bees.

Synonyms

spiderwort
vsTradescantia
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A short green plant with long leaves and flowers with three blue, purple, or white petals

refers specifically to the genus rather than related genera

Surface Forms

Tradescantia singular
Tradescantias plural

Etymology

Tradescantia is the scientific name for a group of garden plants and comes from the English family name Tradescant, who were famous plant collectors and gardeners. That's why Tradescantia refers to these attractive, easy-to-grow flowering plants.