Tradescantia zebrina

Tradescantia zebrina
A flowering Tradescantia zebrina plant
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Commelinales
Family:	Commelinaceae
Genus:	Tradescantia
Species:	T. zebrina
Binomial name
Tradescantia zebrina (Schinz) D. R. Hunt
Synonyms
Tradescantia pendula Zebrina pendula Zebrina pendula var. quadrifolia Inchplant Wandering Jew

Tradescantia zebrina, formerly known as Zebrina pendula, is a species of spiderwort more commonly known as an inch plant or wandering jew, native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico. The common name is shared with closely related varieties T. fluminensis and T. pallida.

Description

Tradescantia zebrina has attractive zebra-patterned leaves, the upper surface showing purple new growth and green older growth parallel to the central axis, as well as two broad silver-colored stripes on the outer edges, with the lower leaf surface presenting a deep uniform magenta.

Uses

Cultivation

It is commonly available and used as a houseplant and groundcover. Propagated by cuttings, this plant can be moved or manipulated easily as its runners cling lightly to the ground (if used as cover). It tends to become an Invasive species if not properly maintained.

Medicinal

It is used in southeast Mexico in the region of Tabasco, as a cold herbal tea, which is named Matali.^{[citation needed]} Also used as a lubricant in China.^{[citation needed]}

skin irritation may result from repeated contact with or prolonged handling of the plant — particularly from the clear, watery sap (a characteristic unique to T. zebrina as compared with the other aforementioned types).

External links

• Standard Data Report: Tradescantia zebrina - Integrated Taxonomic Information System
• PLANTS Profile: Tradescantia zebrina - National Resources Conservation Service (US Department of Agriculture)
• Taxonomy Browser: Tradescantia zebrina - National Center for Biotechnology Information (US National Institutes of Health)
• Desert Tropicals - Informational database on common gardening plants, based out of Phoenix, Arizona, USA
• Dave's Garden - Community website for home gardeners providing supplies, techniques, and discussion forums
• Imperium Plantae: Matali - Recipe for matali drink
• Tradescantia zebrina - WikiSpecies page