About Tradescantia ozarkana E.S.Anderson & Woodson
Tradescantia ozarkana E.S.Anderson & Woodson has herbaceous stems that grow from thickened roots and reach over 50 cm in height. Stems are typically glabrous but may occasionally be hirsute; they are also glaucous and somewhat succulent. Leaves are alternate, sheathing at the base, growing up to 30 cm long and about 4 cm broad. Leaves are narrowly lanceolate, glabrous, ciliate margined, and glaucous on both surfaces, with a less pronounced glaucous texture on the upper surface. Inflorescences are terminal and bracteate, with umbellate cymes surrounding the flowers. Pedicels are about 3 cm long, glandular pilose, and strongly recurve when the plant produces fruit. Each flower has three petals that range in color from white to pink or lilac. Petals are glabrous, broadly ovate, about 2 cm long, and form broad, distinct shapes. Each flower contains six stamens. Filaments are 3 mm long, white, and have dense multicellular hairs longer than the filament itself, attached mostly to the lower half of the filament. Anthers are yellow, 2 mm broad, and 1 mm long. There is a single glabrous style that is 2 to 3 mm long. Ovaries are 3-locular, with one ovule per locule, and bear erect gland-tipped hairs on the summit. Flowers have three sepals that are ovate, acute, glandular pilose on the outer surface, and glabrous on the inner surface. Sepals are about 8 mm long and 4 mm broad, and are free and accrescent.
