Family: Commelinaceae — spiderwort family

Spiderworts are annual or perennial herbs that often have soft stems. The leaves have parallel veins and a base that sheaths the stem. The flowers are grouped into branched inflorescences that grow from the junction of leaf and stem, or from the tip of a branch. There may be a modified white-green or pale green leaf (a spathe) surrounding the inflorescence. The flowers usually have both pollen-bearing and ovule-bearing parts, are radially or bilaterally symmetrical, and are 3-merous. The sepals and petals attach below the ovary (i.e., the ovary is superior). The petals may be colored or white and are either unfused or fused to form a tube. There are 6 stamens arranged in 2 groups of 3, and 1 stigma and style. The fruit is a dry capsule that usually opens to release its seeds.

This family’s genera in New England

• Commelina
• Tradescantia

Visit this family in the Dichotomous Key

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