Photo: Forest & Kim Starr

Creeping Inch Plant, Turtle Vine

Callisia repens (Jacq.) L.

caw-LIZ-ee-ah REE-pens

Commelinaceae

Native to:  Tropical America

Florida abundance and distribution: Found in several counties of Florida, Louisiana and Texas, also Puerto Rico, V.I. and Hawaii.

Recognition: As the name suggests, it is a creeping mat of small green/grey rosette groundcover. Glossy, simple and alternate, semi-succulent, cordate to ovate-lanceolate leaves, sometimes with purple margins, purple underneath, also on stems. There are small and inconspicuous white flowers lasting only a couple of days at the most.

Other:  Best usage as a hanging basket plant.

Contributed by: Andrea Schechter