Tradescantia zebrina

Tradescantia zebrina, formerly known as Zebrina pendula, is a species of spiderwort commonly known as an inch plant or wandering Jew. The common name is shared with closely related species T. fluminensis and T. pallida.[1][2]

Tradescantia zebrina
Tradescantia zebrina
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Monocots
Clade: Commelinids
Order: Commelinales
Family: Commelinaceae
Subfamily: Commelinoideae
Tribe: Tradescantieae
Subtribe: Tradescantiinae
Genus: Tradescantia
Species:
T. zebrina
Binomial name
Tradescantia zebrina
(Schinz) D. R. Hunt
Synonyms

Tradescantia pendula
Zebrina pendula
Zebrina pendula var. quadrifolia

Description
The plant matting on the ground

Tradescantia zebrina has attractive zebra-patterned leaves, the upper surface showing purple new growth and green older growth parallel to the central axis, as well as two broad silver-colored stripes on the outer edges, with the lower leaf surface presenting a deep uniform magenta. The leaves are bluish green and usually have two longitudinal stripes that are silvery on the surface and purple on the underside. The leaf sheaths are thin and translucent, 8 to 12 mm long and 5 to 8 mm wide, at the mouth they are long, otherwise glabrous or slightly hairy.

The low-lying, slightly succulent, perennial, herbaceous plant often forms dense mats or colonies. This is done primarily by natural formation of sinkers. On the nodules of the shoot are root approaches, from which roots develop in permanent contact with water or a sufficiently moist substrate under favorable conditions within a day. The shoots are glabrous or hairy. The stalked, parallel-veined leaves are mostly ovate, 4 to 10 cm long and 1.5 to 3 cm wide, pointed towards the tip, rounded to the base. The upper surface is glabrous to mildly hairy, the underside hairless to averagely hairy, ciliate towards the leaf base. The structure of the flower - usually from the three pink petals and the white sexual organs - is similar to that of the other Tradescantia, but unlike what happens in those, the plant branches off thanks to new buds whose attachment starts below that of the leaf (and not above)

The flowers are in groups, supported by two large foliage-like, narrow, ciliate bracts. The hermaphrodite, radial-symmetrical flowers are threefold. The three overgrown sepals are 2 to 3 mm long. The three only grown at the base petals are ovate-blunt, pink to purple and 5 to 9 mm long. The six equally sized stamens are violet hairy. Three carpels have become a top permanent ovary grown. They form capsule fruits that contain gray-brown seeds.[3]

Habitat

Tradescantia zebrina is native to Mexico, Central America, and Colombia, but can also be found on the Caribbean islands. It is naturalized in parts of Asia, Africa, Australia, South America, and various oceanic islands.[4]

The plant grows in thickets in the wetland and rainforest, often on stones in shady and open areas or on river banks at altitudes of 2000 meters or below, but mainly at lower altitudes.[5]

Uses

Cultivation
A potted T. zebrina

It is commonly available and used as a houseplant and groundcover, aggressively colonizing new areas when left undisturbed. Propagated by cuttings, this plant can be moved or manipulated easily as its runners cling lightly to the ground (if used as cover). It tends to become an invasive species if not properly maintained. The plant is not frost-resistant but can be kept indoors during the winter months in colder climates.

This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[6][7]

Medicinal

Skin irritation may result from repeated contact with or prolonged handling of the plant — particularly from the clear, watery sap (a characteristic unique to T. zebrina as compared with the other aforementioned types).

Invasiveness

It is classified as a Category 1b Invasive Species in South Africa,[8] and thus may no longer be planted or propagated. All trade in seeds, cuttings or other propagative material is prohibited. It may not be transported or be allowed to disperse, either in rural or urban areas.[9][10]

It is also an invasive species in the Galapagos Islands.[11]

Varieties
  1. Tradescantia zebrina var. flocculosa (G.Brückn.) D.R.Hunt - tropical Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras
  2. Tradescantia zebrina var. mollipila D.R.Hunt - tropical Mexico
  3. Tradescantia zebrina var. zebrina - most of Mexico from north to south, Central America, Colombia

References
  1. Nelson Sutherland, C.H. (2008). Catálogo de las plantes vasculares de Honduras. Espermatofitas: 1-1576. SERNA/Guaymuras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
  2. CONABIO. 2009. Catálogo taxonómico de especies de México. 1. In Capital Nat. México. CONABIO, México D.F..
  3. Paul C. Standley and Julian A. Steyermark: Flora of Guatemala , Field Museum of History Botanical Series, Volume 24, Part III, Chicago, USA, 1952.
  4. "World Checklist of Selected Plant Families: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew". apps.kew.org.
  5. Fritz Encke: Plants for Room and Balcony , Eugen Ulmer, Stuttgart, 1964.
  6. "RHS Plant Selector - Tradescantia zebrina". Retrieved 5 July 2013.
  7. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 102. Retrieved 24 December 2018.
  8. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-01-09. Retrieved 2016-01-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-01-27. Retrieved 2016-01-01.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  10. "National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act [No. 10 of 2004]" (PDF). Retrieved 2020-07-08.
  11. "dataZone" (PDF). Darwinfoundation.org. Retrieved 2020-07-08.
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