| + | Zebrina pendula, Schnizl. (Tradescantia zebrina, Hort. T. tricolor, Hort., in part. Cyanotis vittata, Lindl. Commelina zebrina, Hort.). Wandering Jew, in part. Fig. 4041. Trailing, half-succulent, perennial herb rooting at the joints: lvs. lance-ovate, sessile, the lf.-sheath about 1/2 in. long and hairy at top and bottom and sometimes throughout its length; under surface of lf. red-purple; upper surface silvery white; suffused with purplish, the central part and the margins purple-striped: fls. about 2, rose-red, contained in 2 boat-shaped bracts, one of which is much smaller than the other. Mex.— Commonly confused with Tradescantia fluminensis, Fig. 3829, and sometimes with Commelina nudiflora. See Tradescantia. The lvs. of Z. pendula seem never to be green. They vary somewhat in color. All forms are easily grown, and they prop. readily from pieces of st. Var. quadricolor, Bailey (forma quadricolor, Voss. Tradescantia quadricolor and T. multicolor, Hort.). Lvs. with metallic green undertone and striped with green, red, and white. Handsome. |
| '''''Tradescantia zebrina''''', formerly known as ''Zebrina pendula'', is a species of [[spiderwort]] more commonly known as an inch plant or ''[[Wandering Jew (disambiguation)|Wandering Jew]]'', a name shared with closely related varieties ''[[Tradescantia fluminensis|T. fluminensis]]'' and ''[[Tradescantia pallida|T. pallida]]''. Commonly available and used as a [[houseplant]], ''T. zebrina'' has attractive [[zebra]]-patterned [[leaf|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. Propagated by [[Cutting (plant)|cuttings]], this plant can be moved or manipulated easily as its runners cling lightly to the ground (if used as cover). Unfortunately, [[Contact dermatitis|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) — and it tends to become [[Invasive species|invasive]] if not properly maintained. | | '''''Tradescantia zebrina''''', formerly known as ''Zebrina pendula'', is a species of [[spiderwort]] more commonly known as an inch plant or ''[[Wandering Jew (disambiguation)|Wandering Jew]]'', a name shared with closely related varieties ''[[Tradescantia fluminensis|T. fluminensis]]'' and ''[[Tradescantia pallida|T. pallida]]''. Commonly available and used as a [[houseplant]], ''T. zebrina'' has attractive [[zebra]]-patterned [[leaf|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. Propagated by [[Cutting (plant)|cuttings]], this plant can be moved or manipulated easily as its runners cling lightly to the ground (if used as cover). Unfortunately, [[Contact dermatitis|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) — and it tends to become [[Invasive species|invasive]] if not properly maintained. |