Tradescantia hirsuticaulis
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- trad-es-KAN-tee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Hairystem spiderwort is a North Carolina native perennial in the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae). It is not abundant, and you are not likely to stumble onto an area where they are growing. It will typically be seen in dry, open rocky woods, around rock outcrops and along bluffs. In addition to the North Carolina mountains, it can be found in the mid to southeastern states in dry rocky woodlands. It grows about 1.5 feet tall and has hairy leaves and stems. The specific epithet, hirsuticaulis, is derived from the Latin word hirsut meaning "hairy" and caul meaning "a stem or stalk."
These plants prefer partial shade and can tolerate poor, dry soils. Care of this plant can include placing some mulch to retain some moisture. Where it is grown as a perennial, give the plant some room to spread or crawl. Pruning can be done after its blooming has completed for the season. In warmer climates, such as in the Mediterranean, in desert settings, in temperate or in the tropics, it is grown as a perennial evergreen. Colder climates will give it more of an annual life cycle. Propagation can be accomplished by stem cuttings, insuring to leave at least 3 leaves on the cutting.
This species is low growing and compact. The stems are hairy, erect or ascending. The leaves are hairy, narrow, and measure 6 inches long and 1/3 inch wide and are scattered along the hairy stem. At the end of the stem, a cluster of blue to violet blue flowers bloom. The bloom is triangular-shaped, 3-petaled, and measures 1 inch in diameter. Blooming occurs from late spring to early summer. The brownish capsule type fruits appear soon after flowering is complete.
The hairy spiderwort is a beautiful plant, but it is not common in cultivation. It can be used as a groundcover along walkways or rock gardens. It may also be planted in containers for your patio or outside living space. The flowers will attract bees and pollinators.
Quick ID Hints:
- hairy stems, leaves, flower buds and flowers
- narrow leaves measuring 6 inches long and 1/3 inch wide
- blue to violet blue flowers, 3-petaled, triangular-shaped
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Monitor for mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and aphids. Overwatering can cause root rot or fungal infections.
This family of plants is mildly toxic to pets and humans, if ingested. Contact with any part of the plant may cause skin redness and irritation. Wearing protective gloves is recommended.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Tradescantia
- Species:
- hirsuticaulis
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Oklahoma to Southeastern United States
- Distribution:
- Native: AL, AR, GA, NC, OK, SC, TN
- Wildlife Value:
- Hairy spiderwort attracts bees and other pollinators.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 0 ft. 8 in. - 1 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Clumping
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- Less than 12 inches
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from May to July, after blooms have faded.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Saucer
- Flower Petals:
- 2-3 rays/petals
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Blue to violet-blue flowers bloom from late spring to early summer. Each flower is approximately 1 to 1.25 inches wide, 3-petaled, triangular-shaped, and appear in clusters at the end of the stem. They last for one day, but only a few bloom at a time.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Velvety
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Scattered, narrow leaves, with pointed edges grow along the stem and are spirally arranged. The leaves are blue-green and up to 6 inches long and 1/3 inch wide.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are erect or ascending, unbranched or sparsely branched, and hairy. The nodes rarely root.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Patio
- Riparian
- Slope/Bank
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Native Garden
- Rock Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Humidity
- Problems:
- Contact Dermatitis
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- If ingested by humans or pets, can cause mouth and stomach irritation. Contact with the plant or sap can cause skin irritation.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- unknown
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Sap/Juice
- Seeds
- Stems
