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Tradescantia multiflora
| Family Name: | Commelinaceae |
| Synonyms: | Gibasis genifulata, Gibasis schiedeana |
| Common Name: | Tahitian Bridal Veil |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Neotropical |
|---|---|
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a an evergreen creeping plant which produces tiny white flowers. |
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| Roots | Roots grow at the stem nodes. |
| Foliage | Leaves measuring 1 - 5 cm long and 0.3 - 3 cm wide, leaf blades ovate to lanceolate, margin entire, dark green on the above while green to reddish-purple below the surface. |
| Stems | Stems creeping to decumbent, branching at the nodes; twigs are slender. |
| Flowers | Flowers are borne on the upper axils and almost terminal; petals 3 and white in colour, ovate in shape; yellow anthers and white pistil. |
| Etymology | The genus Tradescantia is named after Old John Tradescant, gardener to Charles I, and his son John Tradescant, both travellers and collectors. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | It is cultivated for its ornamental leaves with green upper surface and purple undersides Its creeping habit form produces pendulous mound, which makes it suitable for hanging basket. |
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| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Sessile |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate, Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) Remarks | Green on the upperside and reddish to purplish on the underside of leaves. |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1227 |
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| Species ID | 2520 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
