Spiderwort 7-24-23

Despite its name Spider wort (Tradescantia Virginiana) is a beautiful sensitive bloom.

It comes in several colors.

It is a herbaceous clump-forming perennial in the dayflower family. The plants spread by underground stolons forming clumps and grow 2-3 feet tall by 1 foot wide. It can be found in moist prairies, fertile woodlands, open woods, meadows, hillsides, stony bluffs, and stream banks. Holding Court with Spiderwort The three petaled purple flowers with tiny gold tipped sepals ascending from their centers leaves him feeling as if he stands before a host of kings and queens, scepters in hand waiting for him to bow. Acknowledging as much he kneels before the assembly to winnow weeds from between their long straw-like stems, providing room so they may prosper. Therein he pays homage to the spiderwort. A wildflower worthy of adoration. He first gave deference while shortcutting down a tree farm road; rushing to make a job-related meeting. He saw purple crowns rising above dust created by the swirl of tires. Morning sun highlighting them over the cloud. He looked at the clock, paused, stopped. Approaching with the only tool he had, a tire iron, he came to their side and knelt in the dirt prying a dozen or so loose as he thrust the iron beneath their roots. Not knowing if he was stealing; he left. He received no understanding, when he arrived late to the meeting with dirty hands and dusty knees. Still, he took the wet paper towels used to clean himself and wrapped them around the roots of his prize. The job he kept waiting is gone now. He never much liked it but was good at it. Good enough that he could risk irritation from those who would never appreciate that being late was worth companionship of the purple flowers that now thrive in a shady corner at the front of his house. Kenny Charnell July 18, 2023 © Jul 16, Kenny Charnell