Western Spiderwort

Tradescantia occidentalis

In Canada, the western spiderwort is at the northern limit of its range, and occurs only in four sites in the southern part of the prairies. A family purchased some land in southwestern Manitoba about 50 years ago to help preserve the sand dune / mixed grass prairie habitat where the species is found. This land has been classified as an Ecologically Significant Area under the province's Ecological Reserve program. Continued agricultural development of the prairies is the main limiting factor for the western spiderwort.