Tradescantia L.
Tradescantia is a genus of ca. 70 species, native in temperate and tropical regions in the Americas. Several are widely cultivated for ornament.
- Plant creeping, rooting at the nodes. Leaves broadly ovate to lanceolate, 2,5-5 x 1-2 cm. Petals always white, 8-9 mm (but often reluctant to flower outdoors) === 1. Tradescantia fluminensis
- Plant erect, usually not rooting at the nodes. Leaves lanceolate to linear, 13-37 x 0,4-2,5 cm. Petals usually blue, more rarely purple, rose or white, 12-20 mm === 2. T. virginiana
Literature:
Faden R.B. (2000) Commelinaceae. In: Flora of North America Editorial Committee (eds.), Flora of North America, vol. 22. Oxford University Press, New York-Oxford: 170-197.
Hertweck K.L. & Pires J.C. (2014) Systematics and evolution of inflorescence structure in the Tradescantia alliance. Syst. Bot. 39(1): 105-116.
Hunt D.R. (1984b) Tradescantia. In: Walters S.M. & al. (eds.), The European Garden Flora, vol. 2. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge: 30-31.
Jäger E.J., Ebel F., Hanelt P. & Müller G. (eds.) (2008) Rothmaler Band 5. Exkursionsflora von Deutschland. Krautige Zier- und Nutzpflanzen. Springer Verlag, Berlin: 880 p.