Fringed Spiderflower

Cleome rutidosperma

clay-OH-me  ROOT-ah-doe-SPERM-ah

Brassicaceae

Native to: Tropical Africa, but widely naturalized in warm moist areas.

Florida abundance and distribution: Occasional in Florida, mostly in southern and central parts of the state.

Recognition: Alternate leaves with 3 leaflets.  Sprawling to erect herb; height to 1 m., but usually much less. Small 4-petaled white or pale purplish stalked flowers and narrow green seed pods are scattered among leaves.  Easily overlooked.

Potentially confusion species: The only similar species likely to be encountered in south Florida is the Spiderwisp, Cleome gynandra, which bears flowers towards the ends of stems with bracts that look like very small leaves.  Fringed Spiderflower bears flowers more spread out along the stems at the bases of leaves that are close to the size of normal leaves.  Cultivated Spiderflowers of two species occasionally escape in Florida but are easily distinguished by conspicuous, bright pink flowers.

Other: In favorable sunny conditions, Fringed Spiderflower can form a dense mat that smothers other plants.  A serious weed in Jamaica but apparently not in Florida.  Recently introduced to Australia, where it is subject to quarantine and an eradication program.

Contributed by: David Black, Ph.D.