The only natural spiderwort in Canada is found near the southern border of the prairies in sand dune areas but it has become endangered there. We spotted a number of spiderwort plants in the desert canyons of Utah, mostly when traversing sandy washes in canyons.

There are 75 kinds of tradescantia and many types have been cultivated into gardens. The southwest species (western or prairie spiderwort) grows about 1-2m high in clumps with the three-petalled flowers at the tops of the long, straight stems.

The species is threatened in Canada with disappearing habitat caused by overgrazing, spread of noxious weeds, and disturbance of the sandy soils by humans.

• Spiderwort – A Species at Risk