Family : Commelinaceae

Family: Commelinaceae (Spiderwort family)

Genus: Tradescantia
Common Name: Spiderwort

Floral Structure of Tradescantia Flower:

• Inflorescence: The flowers of Tradescantia are typically arranged in terminal clusters or panicles. Each flower is borne on a short pedicel.

• Flowers:Tradescantia flowers are actinomorphic (radially symmetrical) and bisexual (having both male and female reproductive parts.)

• They are trimerous, meaning that they have parts in multiples of three (a characteristic feature of the family Commelinaceae).

• Sepals: The flower has 3 sepals, which are usually green and form the outer protective layer of the flower during its development.

• Petals: There are 6 petals in total, arranged in two whorls of 3 each. The inner whorl typically consists of 3 larger petals, while the outer whorl also consists of 3 smaller petals. Petals can range in color from purple, blue, pink, to white depending on the species.

• Stamens: The flower has 6 stamens, which are the male reproductive organs. These stamens are usually in two sets of 3 (each set forming a whorl), and they are usually filamentous with anthers that produce pollen. The stamens often surround the pistil (female organ).

• Pistil: The pistil consists of a trilocular ovary (3-celled ovary) with 3 fused carpels. This is characteristic of the family Commelinaceae. The pistil has a style and a stigma that helps in pollen reception for fertilization.

• Pollination: Tradescantia flowers are primarily pollinated by insects, such as bees and butterflies, which are attracted to the flowers for nectar. The flowers open in the early morning and typically close by afternoon, which is a common feature in many Tradescantia species.

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Floral Formula of Tradescantia Flower

The floral formula for Tradescantia is:

P 3+3, A 6, G (3)

Where:

• P (Petals): 3+3, meaning 2 whorls of 3 petals each. 

• A (Androecium or Stamens): 6 stamens.

• G (Gynoecium or Pistil): 3 carpels fused into a single ovary

  Scientific Classification of Tradescantia (Spiderwort)

Kingdom: Plantae
Phylum: Angiosperms (Flowering Plants)
Class: Eudicots
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Genus: Tradescantia
Species: Examples include Tradescantia zebrina, Tradescantia pallida, Tradescantia fluminensis, etc.