Presented below is a photomicrograph showing a whole mount of a spiderwort leaf. This digital image was captured with the DXM 1200 ACT-1 control software in single-image acquisition mode utilizing apodized phase contrast illumination.

Spiderworts are plants belonging to the genus Tradescantia, herbaceous flowering plants that can be found growing in moist tropical to subtemperate habitats around the world. In the North American prairie states, many of these plants are known as "cow slobber" because of the gooey, stringy sap they produce. When stretched out, the sap can also resemble strands of a spider's web, which probably gave rise to the "spiderwort" name.

Spiderwort flowers have a very short life -- only a single morning -- but each plant will produce 20 or more flowers per stem. The petals quickly decompose after blooming. They are monocot plants, having only one leaf when they emerge from the seed, and their flowers are characterized by three petals and six stamens.

The stems, leaves and flowers of spiderworts are edible and can be eaten raw or added to stews. The flowers (which may be pink, blue, or rose-purple) make an attractive edible garnish for salads.

Spiderworts are one of the native North American wildflowers that have made their way into the nursery trade. They are easily propagated from stem cuttings or seeds. The genus of spiderworts is named for John Tradescant, who was gardener for King Charles I of England. He grew them from seed brought back from America and spiderworts are still popular in English gardens today.