Wild Guide: Smooth Spiderwort

Smooth spiderwort, also known as Ohio spiderwort, is an herbaceous perennial that grows in glades, prairies, openings in moist-to-dry upland forests, along railroads, and in fields and pastures. Spiderwort stems are straight or sometimes zigzag, with very few hairs. This plant blooms May through July with flower clusters that contain three petals of various colors including blue, rose, purple, lavender, white.

Human Connections

Spiderworts are sensitive to radiation and other chemicals. Once exposed, their stamen hairs mutate and change color. This sensitivity is being explored for numerous applications.