|
Oyster-Plant,
Rhoeo
Tradescantia spathacea
Sw.
trad-eh-SCANT-ee-ah spah-THAY-see-ah
Commelinaceae
Explanation
of name:
Generic name for British gardener John Tradescant. The specific epithet refers
to the spathe (envelopelike bract(s)) enclosing the flowers.
Synonyms
(see WU1): Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn, Rhoeo discolor (L’Hér.)
Hance
Recognition:
Upright, semi-succulent rosettes of partly purple leaves. The flowers enclosed
in a boat-shaped spathe, hence the name “oyster” plant, as well as various
English names referring to boats, Ladies-in-a-Boat, Moses-in-a-Boat.
Rhizomatous.
Cultivars
include ‘Dwarf’, ‘Tricolor’ and ‘Vittata’ (variegated).
Landscape
uses:
A standard purple-colored ground cover and space-filler, sometimes grown in
containers. Extremely tough, drought-resistant, undemanding. The sap is
irritating to the skin. This species is escaped from cultivation (WU1).
|
Botanical |
English |
FL native |
Growth form
|
Flowering season
|
Typical dimensions
|
Suggested spacing |
Cultural conditions
|
Problems |
|
Tradescantia spathacea
(Rhoeo discolor) |
Oyster-Plant
Rhoeo
Ladies-in-a-Boat |
Exotic, escaped |
Ground Cover |
All year (WU1) |
To about 1’ tall, covering the ground |
|
SU
ME
DT
WI
AT
ST
(PBCC) |
Escaped (WU1)
Skin irritant |
|
