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Tradescantia spathacea 'Vittata'
| Family Name: | Commelinaceae |
| Synonyms: | Tradescantia spathacea 'Variegata' |
| Common Name: | Variegated Boat Lily |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Growth Form | Shrub |
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Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a semi-epiphytic herbaceous shrub with underground rhizomes, and has a clumping rosette form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are long and sword-shaped, dark teal green on top striped with yellow, vivid purple on underside, waxy and fleshy texture. |
| Stems | Trunk-like, short and stout, nearly hidden by overlapping leaves. |
| Flowers | Flowers are small and white, nestled in light purple boat-shaped bracts, produced whole year round at leaf axils. |
| Cultivation | Provide good drainage to prevent root rot. Propagate by stem-cuttings, seeds or division. Watery sap may result in skin stinging and itching in sensitive individuals or animals. Plant should not be eaten raw, as the sap can cause burning pain in mouth and throat. |
| Etymology | The genus epithet Tradescantia named after John Tradescant (died 1638), gardener to King Charles I of England. The specific epithet spathacea means 'with a spathe', describing the spathe-like bract holding the flowers. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General, Suitable for Rooftops, Flowerbed / Border, Interiorscape/ Indoor Plant, Container Planting |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Drought Tolerant, Well-Drained Soils, Fertile Loamy Soils, Shallow Media |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Potential Problems | Soil needs to be well-drained, as the plant is prone to root rot. |
| Propagation Method | Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Yellow / Golden, Purple |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Whorled |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Linear) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Truncate / Square |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
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Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1234 |
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| Species ID | 2527 |
| 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. |
