EARLY SPIDER WORT
Note: Another Spiderwort species that is much taller and coarser develops and blooms later in the season. This plant is described in the Early Summer section.
DESCRIPTION
In addition to being decorative, the Spiderwort has several other uses
. The flowers and plants can be eaten raw as a salad or added to stews. The flowers make a pretty and edible garnish. (Supposedly this is done in the morning before the flowers turn into goo).
The sap is very thick and can provide good entertainment by pulling it out of a stem in a thin filament and making spider webs. The filaments quickly dry and are ready for use.
A blue paint can be made from the flowers that is very good for decorating moccasins
Young men of the Dakota tribe sang to Spiderwort, believing the plants personified the maidens they loved.
Spiderwort is very valuable for detecting radiation leaks at nuclear power facilities. If there is leakage, the Spiderwort flowers will turn pink. (Hopefully before the people also turn pink).
Spiderwort grows in most of the eastern United States and as far west as Kansas.
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