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Commelinaceae
Moses-in-the-Cradle
Tradescantia spathacea
Protection and shelter.
- Family
- Commelinaceae
- Genus
- Tradescantia
- Native to
- Mexico, Belize, Guatemala
- Bloom season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Type
- perennial herb
- Height
- 0.5-1 ft
- Sunlight
- part shade to full sun
- Soil
- well-drained, fertile
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- 9-12
- Lifespan
- perennial
Did you know
- The tiny white flowers emerge from boat-shaped purple bracts, resembling a baby in a cradle, hence the common name.
- The underside of the leaves is a vivid purple due to anthocyanin pigments that help capture scattered light in the understory.
- In Mayan traditional medicine, the plant is used to treat infections, and modern studies have confirmed some antimicrobial properties.
- It was one of the plants taken on early Spanish voyages from the New World and has become naturalized across tropical Asia.
- The plant reproduces so readily from broken stems that it has become invasive on several Pacific islands.
Color meanings
0
protection
1
hidden treasure
2
nurturing