Monday, May 21, 2012

Spiderwort

I'm not sure how this spiderwort (Tradescantia virginiana) is managing to survive, since it has become pretty severely overshadowed by a neighboring shrub.  And yet, every time I walk by I notice it has several blooms on it that seem almost to glow in the dark recesses under the shrub.  I am always attracted to blue flowers, which is probably why I planted this, but it wasn't 'till I looked through the macro lens that I really took a good look at the crazy yellow stamens or the fringe of blue filaments.   Now I like Tradescantia even better.  You may have also heard some odd lore about this plant.  Apparently the stamen hairs change color in the presence of nuclear fallout.  Hmmm.  I'm not sure if that's this plant's particular superpower, or if it's just that this is the one that was chosen for the study, but if you notice your Tradescantia blooming with pink stamen hairs, I'd suggest relocating.  Today I'm joining Macro Monday, hosted by Lisa's Chaos.