Tradescantia ohiensis, commonly referred to as spiderwort, is a native of the United States. The plant grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 5 through 10. Ranging from 2 to 3 feet high and 1 1/2 feet to 2 1/2 feet wide, the plant is a clumping variety that produces clusters of violet tripetalled flowers in the summer. Occasionally a white bloom is produced on the plant. The plant was named after the master gardener to King Charles I, John Tradescant. Spiderwort has been used medicinally to treat spider bites and other ailments. The most interesting fact about spiderwort is the plant's natural ability to detect radiation, which makes the stamens on the flowers turn pink
