Common? Spiderwort

On our walk at the Toni Robinson Waterfront Trail that began at 1:30pm, Nancy Soucy, Class of 2010, pointed out common spiderwort (Tradescantia ohiensis) but was disappointed that the flowers were not looking their finest. Also known as Ohio spiderwort, this plant, which grows the eastern U.S., is an ‘early bird’: Its flowers close up by early afternoon on sunny days.

These pictures were taken in our yard, where this plant flourishes and blooms throughout much of the year. Note all of the flower buds and the inconspicuous grass-like foliage. You also will find this pretty plant growing along roadsides and flourishing in disturbed areas.