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Tradescantia spathacea 'Dwarf'
| Family Name: | Commelinaceae |
| Synonyms: | Tradescantia spathacea 'Nana', Rhoeo spathacea 'Dwarf' |
| Common Name: | Dwarf Boat Lily, Dwarf Moses-in-the-Cradle |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Monocotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Dwarf |
| Maximum Height | 0.2 m to 0.3 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.2 m to 0.3 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Of horticultural origin |
|---|
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a herbaceous herb and has a rosette growth form. It is a dwarf type of Tradescantia spathacea. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Its leaves are waxy and fleshy, sword-shaped, dark green on the upper surface and vivid-purple on the leaf lower side. |
| Flowers | Its flowers are small and white, hidden inside the boat-shaped bracts. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Foliage, Ornamental Form |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Suitable for Rooftops, Flowerbed / Border, Container Planting, General, Parks & Gardens, Small Gardens |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Irritant - Sap |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Semi-Shade, Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Drought Tolerant, Shallow Media, Easy to Grow |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Division |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green, Purple |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Smooth, Leathery, Thick |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Rosulate / Rosette |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Lanceolate) |
| Foliar Venation | Parallel |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.5 (Shrub & Groundcover - Monocot) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Stem Type & Modification | Herbaceous, Acaulescent |
|---|---|
| Root Type | Underground (Fibrous Root) |
| Specialised Storage Organ(s) | Underground (Rhizome), Aboveground |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1232 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2525 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
