What is this family heirloom perennial?

[Tonya]

Any advice or information on this plant. The flowers are a shade of purple. Thank you very much!

 

[Tjohn]

It is Spiderwort. It likes partial shade, but will do OK in sun if kept damp.

 

[Zenj]

Think it’s a tradescantia spiderwort

 

[marlingardener]

Definitely Spiderwort. It is a spring bloomer, dies back in the summer, and spreads easily. For heaven's sake, don't encourage it with fertilizer or you'll have it all over the place!
When the leaves turn yellow and lie down, cut it off at ground level. Don't worry, it will be back!

 

[roadrunner]

Yes, that's Spiderwort (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradescantia)

The bees in my yard love that flower, but it's surprising that around here it's considered a lawn weed. I don't see it as a weed in the slightest. I allow it to grow all over my yard and it does spread (via seedlings) very well and never needs any care on my part, such as fertilization or watering -- totally self-sufficient.

It's also NOT like other plants, in that while they spread like "weeds", they don't over-take the yard; I can grow anything near them and they don't shade them out or otherwise adversely effect the other plants. And they're also edible.

P.S. Some birds, such as the House Finch, eat the seeds