Tradescantia spathacea Sm. var. vittata
See also Tradescantia spathacea Sw. Vittata has leaves with numerous longitudinal, pale yellow stripes above, deep purple beneath. Curtis’s Botanical Magazine figures both the type [BM t.1192/1809] and the variety variegata, otherwise known as vittata, much more richly coloured. [BM t.5079/1858].
Horticultural & Botanical History
‘We cannot say much in praise of the figure of the ordinary state of this very peculiar plant, published at Tab. 1192 of this work, by Mr. Ker, and we are glad of an opportunity to do more justice to it, in representing a state of the plant that has lately been cultivated in gardens, imported, we believe, from Belgium, under the name of Trad. variegata. It is remarkable for the rich colour of the under side of the leaves, and the variegated yellowish lines on the dark-green upper side. The species inhabits Mexico, where it is considered to be an aboriginal, but it is cultivated in various of the islands in the Gulf of Mexico, and in the East as well as the West Indies.’ [BM t.5079/1858].
History at Camden Park
Listed only in the 1857 catalogue [T.970/1857].
Notes
Published Mar 12, 2009 - 04:53 PM | Last updated Mar 08, 2010 - 10:47 AM
Tradescantia spathacea Sw. vittata | BM t.5079/1858 | BHL
| Family | Commelinaceae |
|---|---|
| Category | |
| Region of origin | Central America |
| Synonyms | |
| Common Name | Moses-in-the-cradle, Three-Men-in-a-boat, Variegated Rhoeo |
| Name in the Camden Park Record | Tradescantia discolor variegata |
| Confidence level | high |