Asian Spiderwort

Murdannia keisak

Family:
Commelinaceae

Lifecycle:
Annual

Native or Introduced:
Introduced

Nutrient Removal Rating:
Medium

Wildlife Value:
Low

Invasiveness:
Medium

Rooted or Floating:
Rooted

Site Requirements:
Full sun to part shade

Maximum Water Depth:
3 inches

Plant Description:
Asian spiderwort is an herbaceous annual that produces long, trailing shoots that root at nodes. This plant is capable of reaching a height of approximately 18 inches. Shoots sometimes form mats in shallow water. At times, the plant may be submersed.

Leaf blades are narrow and oblong or lanceolate with bases that wrap around the stem. Leaves are alternate in arrangement and are 3 inches long.

Flowers grow from leaf axils in groups of as many as 4. Flowers consist of three pink to violet petals and three small, thin green sepals. Asian spiderwort's flowering season lasts from September to October. Each flower only lives for a single day.

Preferred habitats are ditches, lake edges, creeks, rivers, swamps, and bogs.

Sources:

• Audlbach-Smith, C.A., deKozlowski, S.J. 1996. Aquatic and Wetland Plants of South Carolina. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources.
• Flora of North America (see link below),

Additional reading:

• USDA
• Flora of North America