spiderwort
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: 1. Any plant of the family Commelinaceae: A common name for various herbaceous flowering plants belonging to the family Commelinaceae, characterized by succulent stems, parallel-veined leaves, and three-petaled flowers that are often blue, purple, or white. The name "spiderwort" commonly refers to species in the genus Tradescantia.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The blue flowers of the spiderwort brightened the edge of the woodland path.
- She divided her overgrown spiderwort to plant in a new shady spot in the garden.
- Botanists study the spiderwort for its interesting chromosome behavior.
Advanced Usage
- "Wandering Jew" as a common name: Some species of spiderwort, particularly and , are commonly known by the name "Wandering Jew." This name is increasingly considered offensive, and alternative names like "wandering dude" or "inch plant" are often used instead.
- The variegated spiderwort on the shelf is sometimes called an inch plant.
Variants and Related Words
- Tradescantia (n): The most well-known genus within the Commelinaceae family that is typically called spiderwort.
- Tradescantia virginiana is a popular perennial spiderwort.
- Dayflower (n): A common name for plants in the related genus , also in the Commelinaceae family. Their flowers typically last for only one day.
- Commelinaceae (n): The botanical family name for spiderworts, dayflowers, and related plants.
Synonyms
- Tradescantia (when referring specifically to that genus).
- Wandering Jew (for specific species, but see note in Advanced Usage).
Notes on Different Meanings
The primary meaning of "spiderwort" is botanical, referring to plants in the family Commelinaceae. There are no significant idiomatic or phrasal verb uses associated with this word, as it is a specific common name for a group of plants.
Noun
- any plant of the family Commelinaceae