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spiderflower

Scientific Name: Cleome

Family: Capparaceae

Category: Dicot

Growth:

Duration:

Other Names:

       

Cleome hassleriana: The Spider Flower

Cleome hassleriana, widely recognized as spider flower, spider plant, or pink queen, is a captivating flowering plant that adds a unique touch to gardens.

Considerations for Pets

According to the provided text, Cleome hassleriana is considered non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses.

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Scientific Name: Cleome hassleriana
  • Common Names: Spider flower, spider plant, pink queen
  • Family: Cleomaceae (sometimes listed as Capparaceae)
  • Genus: Cleome
  • Synonyms/Alternative Names: Mentions other Cleome species with similar common names like African Spider Flower and Brazilian Spiderflower.

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to South America.
  • Naturalized in warm parts of the United States.
  • Adaptable to various conditions; grows well in full sun to partial shade.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • Annual plant, growing to 3-6 feet tall.
  • Fast-growing.
  • Erect stems.
  • Palmately divided leaves.
  • Dense, elongated terminal racemes of pink, purple, white and lavender flowers.
  • Known for its long seedpods that develop below the flowers, creating a "spidery" appearance.
  • Stems can be branched towards the base with unbranched upper stems.

Ecological Role

  • Attracts bees.
  • Some species, like Cleome rutidosperma (fringed spider flower), are considered weeds.

Quirky Facts

  • The plant is named "spider flower" because of the spidery visual effect of its long stamens and seedpods.
  • New blooms open every afternoon.