Status:
valid
Authors:
Sw.
Source:
wcs
Year:
1788
Citation Micro:
Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ. : 57 (1788)
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0000589684
Common Names
- Spathacea Tradescantia
- Tradescantia spathacea
- Tradescantia
Synonyms
- Ephemerum bicolor Moench [unknown]
- Rhoeo discolor (L'Hér.) Hance in Walp. [unknown]
- Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn [unknown]
- Tradescantia discolor L'Hér. [unknown]
- Tradescantia discolor concolor Baker [unknown]
- Tradescantia discolor variegata Hook. [unknown]
- Tradescantia versicolor Salisb. [unknown]
- Rhoeo spathacea concolor (Baker) Stehlé [unknown]
- Rhoeo spathacea variegata (Hook.) Stehlé [unknown]
- Ephemerum discolor Moench [unknown]
Description
Tradescantia spathacea (also called boat lily, among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant with long, narrow leaves and white flowers. It is native to tropical America, and is found in wet or swampy areas. It is also found in mangrove swamps and riverbanks.
Uses & Benefits
Tradescantia spathacea is used as an ornamental plant in gardens, and is also used in the production of traditional medicines.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flower of Tradescantia spathacea is small, white and bell-shaped. The seed is small, black and round. The seedlings are small and have a single pair of leaves.
Cultivation and Propagation
Tradescantia spathacea can be propagated by division or cuttings. Division should be done in spring or early summer, when the plant is actively growing. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature plants and planted in a moist soil mix. Both methods should be kept in a warm, humid environment and should be protected from direct sunlight.
Where to Find Tradescantia spathacea
Tradescantia spathacea is native to tropical America, from Mexico to Peru and Brazil. It is found in moist, shady areas of tropical forests.
Tradescantia spathacea FAQ
What is the scientific name of Tradescantia spathacea?
Tradescantia spathacea
What is the common name of Tradescantia spathacea?
Boat Lily
What is the natural habitat of Tradescantia spathacea?
Found in tropical and subtropical regions
Species in the Tradescantia genus
Tradescantia ambigua,
Tradescantia andrieuxii,
Tradescantia boliviana,
Tradescantia bracteata,
Tradescantia brevifolia,
Tradescantia buckleyi,
Tradescantia burchii,
Tradescantia cerinthoides,
Tradescantia cirrifera,
Tradescantia commelinoides,
Tradescantia crassifolia,
Tradescantia crassula,
Tradescantia cymbispatha,
Tradescantia decora,
Tradescantia deficiens,
Tradescantia edwardsiana,
Tradescantia ernestiana,
Tradescantia exaltata,
Tradescantia fluminensis,
Tradescantia gigantea,
Tradescantia gracillima,
Tradescantia grantii,
Tradescantia guiengolensis,
Tradescantia gypsophila,
Tradescantia hirsuticaulis,
Tradescantia hirsutiflora,
Tradescantia hirta,
Tradescantia huehueteca,
Tradescantia humilis,
Tradescantia leiandra,
Tradescantia llamasii,
Tradescantia longipes,
Tradescantia masonii,
Tradescantia maysillesii,
Tradescantia mcvaughii,
Tradescantia mirandae,
Tradescantia monosperma,
Tradescantia mundula,
Tradescantia nuevoleonensis,
Tradescantia occidentalis,
Tradescantia ohiensis,
Tradescantia orchidophylla,
Tradescantia ozarkana,
Tradescantia pallida,
Tradescantia pedicellata,
Tradescantia peninsularis,
Tradescantia petiolaris,
Tradescantia petricola,
Tradescantia pinetorum,
Tradescantia plusiantha,
Species in the Commelinaceae family
Aetheolirion stenolobium,
Amischotolype glabrata,
Amischotolype gracilis,
Amischotolype griffithii,
Amischotolype hispida,
Amischotolype hookeri,
Amischotolype irritans,
Amischotolype laxiflora,
Amischotolype marginata,
Amischotolype mollissima,
Amischotolype monosperma,
Amischotolype sphagnorrhiza,
Amischotolype tenuis,
Amischotolype barbarossa,
Amischotolype divaricata,
Amischotolype dolichandra,
Amischotolype hirsuta,
Amischotolype leiocarpa,
Amischotolype lobata,
Amischotolype parvifructa,
Amischotolype pedicellata,
Amischotolype rostrata,
Amischotolype strigosa,
Amischotolype welzeniana,
Aneilema acuminatum,
Aneilema aequinoctiale,
Aneilema alatum,
Aneilema angolense,
Aneilema aparine,
Aneilema arenicola,
Aneilema benadirense,
Aneilema beniniense,
Aneilema biflorum,
Aneilema brasiliense,
Aneilema brenanianum,
Aneilema brunneospermum,
Aneilema calceolus,
Aneilema chrysopogon,
Aneilema clarkei,
Aneilema dispermum,
Aneilema dregeanum,
Aneilema forskaolii,
Aneilema gillettii,
Aneilema grandibracteolatum,
Aneilema hirtum,
Aneilema hockii,
Aneilema homblei,
Aneilema indehiscens,
Aneilema johnstonii,
Aneilema lamuense,