Fauna
Flower

Cleome Houtteana

Tarenaya hassleriana

Also known as Spider Plant, Pink Queen, Grandfather's Whiskers

Spider flowers produce dramatic terminal racemes of pink, purple, or white blossoms framed by exceptionally long, threadlike stamens that suggest arachnid legs. Glandular hairs cover the foliage, releasing a musky, pungent scent when brushed, while small spine-like stipules protect the leaf axils. Adapted to open floodplains and disturbed ground in subtropical South America, this fast-growing annual blooms continuously from midsummer until the first hard autumn frost.

FloweringAnnualSubtropical
Cleome Houtteana reference
User:Schoinard / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Flea beetles
  • Cabbage white caterpillars
  • Aphids
ThreatsHabitat conversion, extreme cold, and herbicide application in agricultural borders
HabitatsRiverbanks, floodplains, pastures, disturbed meadows, and garden margins
Life span1 year (annual)
Classification
  1. OrderBrassicales
  2. FamilyCleomaceae
  3. GenusTarenaya
  4. SpeciesTarenaya hassleriana
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance, though stems possess sticky hairs and small spines.
Responsible observation
  • Observation Timing: Visit blossoms in early morning or at dusk when fragrant nectar flows peak.
  • Handling Precaution: Wear light garden gloves if weeding nearby to avoid sharp stipular spines.
Related species
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