7. Tradescantia tharpii E.S. Anderson & Woodson (dwarf spiderwort)

Pl. 28 b; Map 113

Stems 2B7 cm long (rarely elongating to 20 cm long by fruiting time), densely long-hairy. Blades of the leaves and bracts 4B30 cm long, linear, as broad as or narrower than the sheaths, deep green, the margins often tinged with pinkish purple or purple, densely long-hairy. Flower stalks 30B60 mm long, conspicuously pubescent with nonglandular hairs. Sepals 12B16 mm long, pale green and pink- to purplish-tinged, usually somewhat membranous, densely pubescent with nonglandular hairs. Petals 18B22 mm long, bright purple or reddish pink, less commonly purplish blue. 2n=24. AprilBMay.

Scattered in southwestern Missouri, from the Unglaciated Plains to the western edge of the Ozark Division (Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, more or less endemic to the Great Plains). Prairies and glades on acidic and calcareous substrates; also along railroads.

This species is known to hybridize rarely with T. ohiensis.