Spiderwort buds
Click for greater clarity, especially in the little hairs.
In the preserve behind the Austin Nature Center on March 23rd I photographed this little cup of spiderwort buds, Tradescantia spp.
© 2015 Steven Schwartzman
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Portraits of Wildflowers 
Very nice. Your variety of Spiderwort has hairier buds than mine…which is the Virginia Spiderwort- Tradescantia virginiana.
Steve Gingold
April 4, 2015 at 6:28 AM
In the Austin area there are seven spiderwort species, which I don’t know how to tell apart. One is T. ohiensis, but T. virginiana doesn’t make it here. I remember the white-flowered variant of T. virginiana that you showed last year:
https://sggphoto.wordpress.com/2014/06/29/06-29-2014-virginia-spiderwort-the-pale/
Steve Schwartzman
April 4, 2015 at 7:49 AM
We are fortunate that at least one plant produces this variant annually. I’ve not seen them in anyone’s garden or at the local nurseries. I guess if I were a bit more business-minded I would propagate them and make a bundle.
Steve Gingold
April 4, 2015 at 10:49 AM
Maybe you can farm out (literally) that task in return for a portion of the profits.
Steve Schwartzman
April 4, 2015 at 10:59 AM
Fuzzy!
melissabluefineart
April 4, 2015 at 8:16 AM
Time for me to add, as I’ve done a few times before: like the photographer.
Steve Schwartzman
April 4, 2015 at 8:19 AM
Is it as velvety as it looks, or is it prickly?
krikitarts
April 4, 2015 at 9:53 AM
Unlike many things in Texas, this one is soft (hooray).
Steve Schwartzman
April 4, 2015 at 10:09 AM
Great shot.
Raewyn's Photos
April 4, 2015 at 2:20 PM
Propinquity paid off.
Steve Schwartzman
April 4, 2015 at 3:54 PM
Such wonders in nature! This is beautiful. Interesting how the side is sculpted to show the buds.
Dianne
April 4, 2015 at 2:57 PM
As a photographer I was the beneficiary of the sculpted sides, but somehow I don’t think that sculpting developed for my sake.
Steve Schwartzman
April 4, 2015 at 4:12 PM
This is a beautiful shot, Steve. Thanks.
Isabel F. Bernaldo de Quirós
April 4, 2015 at 4:16 PM
It reminds me of when I learned the word capullo in Spanish. I think that was in 1967.
Steve Schwartzman
April 5, 2015 at 7:27 AM
Where does the spider come into it? The spidery nature of the plant?
Gallivanta
April 5, 2015 at 4:13 AM
Good question. The article at
http://www.sierrapotomac.org/W_Needham/Spiderwort_050626.htm
says this:
“The name Spiderwort is attributed to the observation that the monocotyledonous, grass- like leaves of the plant are suggestive of a crouching spider. To further augment the arachnid syllogism, when the stalk of the Spiderwort is broken, sap emerges that forms filaments that resemble a spider’s web. This is the source of the vernacular name ‘Cow Slobber. The term ‘wort’ is from the Old English wyrt meaning root or herb and is generally applied to a plant to indicate a medicinal application, in this case spider bites. It is likely that the perceived need for a treatment for spider bites arose due to the prevailing belief in Southern Europe that spider venom was the cause of a malignancy known as choreomania, or dancing madness. Symptoms included headaches, sweating, and trembling, and severe melancholia. In the absence of an antidote, frenzied dancing to the point of exhaustion was permitted even where it was prohibited by unflinching religious fiat. In Italy it was called tarantism, as it was attributed to the bite of the tarantula, a species of wolf spider. As early as 1633, plants of the genus Asphodelus were recommended as antidotes. The discovery of the spider-like plant in the New World during the heyday of this mania probably led to its consideration as a medicine for the condition.”
Steve Schwartzman
April 5, 2015 at 7:33 AM
Excellent, thank you. And I am happy that you have now added to your blog a photo of a spider on spiderwort. That spider looks harmless.
Gallivanta
April 6, 2015 at 6:10 AM
Most spiders in Texas are harmless—at least to people. Insects had best beware.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 7:44 AM
Astonishing detail – love this!
Birder's Journey
April 5, 2015 at 10:03 PM
A good macro lens can reveal a lot.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 3:05 AM
The katydid was fun, and spiders always are a great addition to your photos, but I think this is my favorite of the spiderwort series. The transformation of these buds into those beautiful flowers is amazing, and this is a view most of us miss. The flowers are easy enough to spot, but these buds and their hairy little details? Not so much.
shoreacres
April 6, 2015 at 8:42 AM
You’ve seen enough of my work to know that I try to give unfamiliar phases (and views) of a plant their due. The flowers are easy to spot but for you the buds hit the spot. Spot-on, as some people say.
Steve Schwartzman
April 6, 2015 at 9:23 AM