Commelinaceae

Tradescantia fluminensis

Common Names: Trad

Plant Form: Creeping perennial mat-forming herb. Size: Up to 4 m long. Stem: Fleshy, branched, producing roots at nodes. Leaves: Glossy deep green, alternately arranged, somewhat fleshy, lance or egg-shaped with a pointed tip. With sheaths at the base, which are sometimes hairy. Flowers: White with 3 petals, in small clusters near the tips of branches, and with prominent yellow stamens. Fruit and Seeds: Small capsules with 3 chambers. Not known to occur in Australia as it reproduces vegetatively. Habitat: Forests, urban bushland, riparian areas, roadsides, waste areas, old gardens. Distinguishing Features: Leaves are similar to some weedy and native species in the Spiderwort family (Commelinaceae) but they typically have blue rather than white flowers.