Bluejacket
Tradescantia ohiensis
- Native to:
- Canada, United States
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Commelinaceae
- Genus:
- Tradescantia
- Species:
- Tradescantia ohiensis
- USDA Symbol:
- TROH
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 90 cm
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- apr,may,jun,jul
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, purple, pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Brown-belted bumble (Bombus griseocollis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Half-black bumble (Bombus vagans), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, syrphid flies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots after fire; commonly found in fire-maintained prairies and savannas.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
- Germination Time:
- 10–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best after cold stratification. Surface sow as light may aid germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For cuttings, keep them misted and out of the sun to prevent drying out. For seeds, mix with equal amounts of vermiculite and lightly dampen in a plastic bag or container. Store for 3-4 months in a cold room of 34-36 degrees F.
Establishment: Seeds are collected by hand from nursery stock. The plant flowers from approx. May 10 - June 12. Seed is harvested June 22. Cuttings are taken from mature plants in May and June.
Source: npn.rngr.net