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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 |
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Name
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
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. |
