Semi-desert, foothills.  Forest and grassland openings.  Summer, fall.
Upper Calf Creek Trail, Escalante/Grand Staircase National Monument, Utah, October 23, 2007.

Tradescantia occidentalis grows from just a few inches tall to almost two feet.  Leaves are long and Iris-like; flowers are commonly over an inch across in clusters; and the plant enjoys sunny openings, often in rocks and along streams.  This species is found in all the Four Corners states but not on the West Slope of Colorado.  It is also found in all other Rocky Mountain states; the very similar T. Ohiensis and T. virginiana are found in all central and eastern states.  It is thus a well known genus.

This genus was named by Linnaeus for John Tradescant, traveler and gardener, considered to be the founder of British gardening.  (More biographical information.) This species was first named Tradescantia virginiana variety occidentalis by Britton in 1896 and was renamed T. occidentalis just three years later by Smyth. 

Semi-desert, foothills.  Forest and grassland openings.  Summer, fall.
Upper Calf Creek Trail, Escalante/Grand Staircase National Monument, Utah, October 23, 2007.

Range map © John Kartesz,
Floristic Synthesis of North America

State Color Key

Species present in state and native
Species present in state and exotic
Species not present in state

County Color Key

Species present and not rare
Species present and rare
Species extirpated (historic)
Species extinct
Species noxious
Species exotic and present
Native species, but adventive in state
Eradicated
Questionable presence

Range map for Tradescantia occidentalis