spiderwort

[ spahy-der-wurt, -wawrt ]

noun

1. any plant of the genus Tradescantia, having blue, purple, or rose-colored flowers.
2. any of several related plants.

spiderwort

/ ˈspaɪdəˌwɜːt /

noun

1. See tradescantia
   any of various plants of the American genus Tradescantia, esp T. virginiana, having blue, purplish, or pink flowers and widely grown as house plants: family Commelinaceae See also tradescantia
2. any of various similar or related plants

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiderwort¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; spider + wort ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of spiderwort¹

C17: so called because of the spidery shape of its stamens

Example Sentences

The spiderwort was a rich blue with its two large petals rounded, while the third one was tiny and colorless.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the best for this purpose are the spiderwort (Tradescantia) and Scilla.

From Project Gutenberg

There are four families of the order, the spiderwort belonging to the highest one, Commelyneæ.

From Project Gutenberg

Virginian Spiderwort, Dandelion, and Nightshade are ready at six in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

A good example is furnished by the common spiderwort (Fig. 1).

From Project Gutenberg