Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Commelinales Mirb. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Commelinaceae Mirb.
 Subordinate Taxa
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Tradescantia L., Sp. Pl. 288 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Rhoeo Hance
Vernacular Name(s):
Spider lily; Spiderwort
 Description

Perennial herbs. Stems erect or prostrate, mucilaginous, simple or diffusely branched, leafy. Flowers solitary or few to many, pedicellate, in axillary and terminal, simple or umbellate cymes, with 1–3 leaf-like bracts. Sepals free, green or coloured. Petals free, blue, red or white. Stamens 6, all fertile. Ovules 2. Capsule 3-locular, 6-seeded.

[From: Healy and Edgar (1980) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 3.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
Number of species in New Zealand within Tradescantia L.
CategoryNumber
Exotic: Fully Naturalised5
Total5
 Bibliography
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Mabberley, D.J. 2008: Mabberley's plant book, a portable dictionary of plants, their classification and uses. Edition 3. Cambridge University Press.