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Tradescantia spathacea 'Dwarf Tricolor'

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Tradescantia spathacea 'Dwarf Tricolor'

Family Name: Commelinaceae
Synonyms: Tradescantia spathacea 'Nana Tricolor'
Common Name: Dwarf Variegated Boat Lily, Dwarf Variegated Moses-in-the-Cradle, 紫背万年青

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
Infraspecific Epithet
Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Herbaceous Plant, Creeper
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Plant Shape Dwarf
Maximum Height 0.2 m to 0.3 m
Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width 0.2 m to 0.3 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Of horticultural origin

Description and Ethnobotany

Growth Form It is a herbaceous plant with a rosette growth form.
Foliage Its leaves are sword-shaped, tightly arranged along the stem. The upper side of the leaf is green, variegated with white strips, while the leaf lower side is light-purple.
Etymology Genus epithet 'Tradescantia' named after John Tradescant (died 1638), gardener to King Charles I of England. Species epithet 'spathacea' means 'with a spathe', describing the spathe-like bract holding the flowers.

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form
Landscape Uses Suitable for Rooftops, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting, Small Gardens

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Semi-Shade, Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water, [Remarks] (Drought-tolerant when established. Overwatering may cause root rot.)
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Disease / Pest Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media
Propagation Method Stem Cutting, Division

Foliar

Foliage Retention Evergreen
Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green, Pink, Purple, White
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth, Leathery, Thick
Foliar Type Simple / Unifoliate
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Rosulate / Rosette
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate)
Foliar Venation Parallel
Foliar Margin Entire
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Stem Type & Modification Herbaceous, Acaulescent
Root Type Underground (Fibrous Root)
Specialised Storage Organ(s) Underground, Aboveground

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1233
Species ID 2526
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.
Species record last updated on: 21 March 2022.
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