Description: This native perennial plant is 1-3' tall
and little branched. The central stem is glabrous or slightly hairy and round
in circumference; it is somewhat broader where the sheath of each leaf wraps
around the stem. On some plants, the central stem has a tendency to zigzag
slightly between the alternate leaves. These leaves are up to 12" long and 2"
across, but often closer to half this size. They are lanceolate to narrowly
ovate, dark green, and glabrous or slightly pubescent. The veins of the leaves
are parallel. The central stem terminates in a small floppy cluster of flowers
on slender pedicels. Non-terminal clusters of flowers are produced from the
axils of the upper leaves or on short secondary stalks. Each flower is about 1"
across when fully open. It consists of 3 light violet petals, 3 hairy green
sepals, 6 stamens with yellow anthers, and a mass of feathery styles in the
center of the flower. The petals are oval or broadly ovate. At the base of the
flower cluster, there is a leafy bract that is opposite from the alternate leaf
and somewhat smaller in size. The blooming period occurs during the summer and
last about 1½ months. Each flower lasts only a single day and lacks any
noticeable scent. Because only a few flowers are in bloom at the same time, the
blooming period is fairly long. Each flower is replaced by a 3-chambered seed
capsule containing several seeds. These seeds are somewhat flattened and
oval-shaped; they are slightly indented in the center, from which several veins
radiate outward in all directions toward the outer margin. The root system
consists of a mass of fleshy fibrous roots; sometimes vegetative offshoots are
produced.
Cultivation: The
preference is partial sun to medium-light shade, moist to mesic conditions, and
a fertile loamy soil. Like other Tradescantia spp. (Spiderworts), this
plant is little bothered by insect pests and foliar disease. It adapts well to
flower gardens.
Range & Habitat: Zigzag Spiderwort occurs
occasionally in the southern half of Illinois, while it is rare or absent in
the northern half of the state (see
Distribution
Map). Habitats include deciduous mesic woodlands, woodland borders, bluffs,
and shady areas along riverbanks. Sometimes this plant can be found in more
disturbed areas, such as shady areas along railroads, roads, and corners of
yards near woodlands.
Faunal
Associations: The flowers are pollinated by bumblebees primarily.
Smaller bees may collect pollen from the flowers, while Syrphid flies feed on
pollen. The mucilaginous foliage is eaten occasionally by the Woodland Box
Turtle, Cottontail Rabbit, and White-Tailed Deer.
Photographic Location: Underneath the shade of a
tree in a flower garden at Urbana, Illinois.
Comments: Of the several Tradescantia spp.
(Spiderworts) in Illinois, Zigzag Spiderwort has the broadest leaves (over 1"
across) and they are typically dark green. Other Spiderworts have leaves
¾" across or less. Zigzag Spiderwort is better adapted to shady woodland
areas than these other species. Another woodland species, Commelina
virginica (Virginia Dayflower), is somewhat similar in appearance, but the
petals of its flowers are blue, rather than light violet, and its lower petal
is smaller in size than the upper two. The petals of Spiderworts are the same
size. Both Spiderworts and Dayflowers are monocots, like members of the Lily
and Iris families.