|
Tradescantia spathacea
(syn.
Rhoeo spathacea / Rhoeo discolor)
Name - Tradescantia is named after John Tradescant senior (died 1638),
gardener to Charles I, who collected the first tradescantia from Virginia, USA.
Spathacea refers to the spatula-like leaves of this variety. Its common names
are boat lily, Moses-in-the-cradle and oyster plant.
Description
- It has a short, sturdy stem and a rosette of lance shaped, fleshy leaves of
green colour on the upper surface and purple on the lower surface. The tiny white
flowers it produces are enclosed in its boat-shaped bracts nestled in the leaf
axils.
Origin - Central America
Family - Commelinaceae
(spiderwort family)
Care Tips - Bright location and room temperature
all year round. It will do well in high humidity especially during its growing
season in summer. Feed weekly from spring to summer and water sparingly in winter.
Trivia - In many parts of the world where it grows outside (Southern
American States, South America, the Pacific islands and China) it is very invasive,
as it roots from any small, broken piece of plant. However its flowers are used
medicinally in South China, to treat ailments such as dysentery. Found commonly
around the ancient Mayan sites in Guatemala, Yucatan and Belize, it was probably
cultivated for use as a cosmetic. It is considered a herb succulent.
back | 
