Tradescantia spathacea Sw.

Frost tender, clump-forming perennial with rosettes of semi-erect, lance-shaped, fleshy, leaves, deep purple beneath, to 35cm long, and paired axillary cymes of white flowers, surrounded by long-lasting purple bracts, throughout the year.  To 30cm.  [RHSE, Hortus].

Horticultural & Botanical History

‘Brought from the countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico to Jamaica; whence it has been imported to this country.  Requires to be kept in a stove.  Propagates abundantly both by offsets and seed.  Of easy culture.’  [BM t.1192/1809].  Introduced to Britain in 1783.  [JD].  The improved variety vittata Miq. was figured in Flore des Serres.  [FS f.1169-1170/1856].

History at Camden Park

Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.968/1857].

Notes

Tradescantia discolor Raf. (1837) = Tradescantia virginiana L.

Published Mar 12, 2009 - 04:46 PM | Last updated Mar 08, 2010 - 10:48 AM

Illustrated are the purple-backed leaves and small white flowers. Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.1192, 1809.

Tradescantia spathacea Sw. | BM t.1192/1809 | BHL

More details about Tradescantia spathacea Sw.
Family Commelinaceae
Category
Region of origin

Central America
Synonyms
  • Tradescantia discolor L’Hérit.
  • Rhoeo discolor (L’Hérit.) Hance
  • Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Common Name

Moses-in-the-cradle, Three-Men-in-a-boat, Rhoeo
Name in the Camden Park Record

Tradescantia discolor 
Confidence level high