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{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = Wandering Jew
| image = Wandering Jew pl.jpg
| image_caption = A flowering Wandering Jew plant
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Commelinales]]
| familia = [[Commelinaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Spiderwort|Tradescantia]]''
| species = '''''T. pallida'''''
| binomial = ''Tradescantia pallida''
| binomial_authority = (Rose) D. Hunt
}}
===Meaning of the name===
"Wandering Jew" is the colloquial name used to refer to three separate (but related) [[species]] of [[spiderwort]], commonly grown as [[houseplant]]s. The name is a reference to the "[[Wandering Jew]]", a figure from [[Christian]] [[folklore]].
Until recently, only one of these full species (T. fluminensis) was recognized as belonging to the genus [[Spiderwort|Tradescantia]]. The original names of the other two species are listed in their respective sections.
All three of these plants grow in a similar way and have similar style leaves and stalks. They are all very hardy plants, and share the common characteristic of being exceptionally easy to propagate. One need not even place [[cuttings]] in [[water]]; merely cutting off a piece of the plant and placing it in moist [[dirt]] should suffice, and the cutting will usually grow quite prolifically.
The following sections pertain to the three separate species commonly known as "Wandering Jew".
===Tradescantia pallida (Setcreasea purpurea)===
The '''Wandering Jew''' (''Tradescantia pallida'', synonym ''Setcreasea purpurea'') is a species of spiderwort native to eastern [[Mexico]], from [[Tamaulipas]] to [[Yucatan]]. It is an evergreen [[perennial plant]] with elongated, pointed [[leaf|leaves]] 7-15 cm long, and small three-[[petal]]led white, pink or purple [[flower]]s with yellow [[stamen]]s. The leaves are glaucous green, often with a red or purple fringe, or (in many [[cultivar]]s) purple throughout, or green and white [[variegation|variegated]]. The plant thrives in sun or light shade in subtropical areas, grows to 20-40 cm tall.
The botanical name for the genus is in honour of [[John Tradescant the elder]]. The species name ''pallida'' refers to the pale (pallid) flowers.
The NCBI uses the classification ''Setcreasea purpurea'', a classification which the ITIS and most other authorities reject as a synonym of ''Tradescantia pallida''. Some other websites list it under the name ''Setcreasea pallida''.
Adding to the naming confusion, ''T. pallida'' (in addition to the "Wandering Jew" moniker) is also known as ''Purple Heart''.
The Wandering Jew has escaped from cultivation in many areas from the southern United States to South America and in the warmer parts of former British colonies, including [[Australia]]; in many areas it is considered an [[invasive species|invasive weed]].
{{commons|Tradescantia_pallida|Tradescantia pallida}}<br>
===Tradescantia fluminensis===
In [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], the closely related [[Brazil]]ian species ''Tradescantia fluminensis'' is also known as '''Wandering Jew'''. It is an invasive weed in native bush areas and is consided a noxious weed or pest plant that landowners are responsible for eradicating because ''Tradescantia'' is distinct in its ability to colonise low-light areas. It can form a dense mat under forest, which smothers low-growing plants and prevents the natural regeneration of taller native species. If left unchecked it can lead to the destruction of native forests. This plant can be seen in the New Zealand native bush in at least one scene in the movie ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (film)|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. ''Tradescantia fluminensis'' is also a serious problem in parts of Florida.
Even where the climate does not promote ''Tradescantia'' to set fruit, it still spreads quickly through its rapid growth and being dragged by stock, other animals and humans, and soil movement. The succulent stems easily break at the nodes and take root wherever they land on moist soil. While ''T
radescantia'' will respond to [[herbicide]]s and other applied [[weed control]]s, as each piece of stem has the ability to regenerate ''Tradescantia'' is able to make a rapid come-back, especially in soft soils where regenerating stems maybe under the surface. Either regular repeated applications of weed-control are required, which may have a significant negative effect upon neighbouring plants, or, a final manual clearance should be made. Manual clearance is not necessarily as arduous as it can seem as an initial clearance by raking will make a significant impact. With repeated manual clearance at 3 month intervals, eradication is possible. Regular monitoring of invasion from neighbouring areas is likely to be indicated.
{{commons|Tradescantia_fluminensis|Tradescantia fluminensis}}<br>
===Tradescantia zebrina===
Formerly known as ''Zebrina pendula'', yet another Tradescantia species in addition to ''fluminensis'' and ''pallida'' shares the common name '''Wandering Jew'''. Commonly sold as a [[houseplant]], ''Tradescantia zebrina'' has attractive purplish-green leaves, the upper leaf surface showing [[purple]] new growth and [[green]] older growth as well as two silvery-colored stripes, with the lower leaf surface showing a deep uniform magenta.
===Cultivation and uses===
The following information was written based on ''T. pallida'', though much of it may apply to ''T. fluminensis'' or ''T. zebrina'' as well.
Wandering Jew is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens and borders, as a ground cover, hanging plant, or (particularly in colder areas) houseplant. It is propagated easily by cuttings; the stems are visibly segmented and roots will frequently grow from the joints.
While Wandering Jew is non-toxic and generally considered safe for human consumption, it is also exceedingly bland. Wandering Jew has applications as a [[livestock]] and [[poultry]] feed as it is fast-growing, resilient to disease, and tolerates shade.
The fluids from crushed ''T. fluminensis'' and ''T. pallida'' are known as an [[allergen]][http://www.balgownievet.com.au/1_gen_derm_allergy_wandering_jew.htm] to [[dogs]], ranging from a light rash to raised [[pustule]]s.
==External links and references==
*[http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=521419 ITIS ID 521419]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=59015&lvl=3&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock NCBI ID 59015]
*[http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/tradescantiafluminensis.htm ''Tradescantia fluminensis'']
<gallery>
Image:PurpHeart1.jpg|Front view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia pallida'' plant.
Image:PurpHeart2.jpg|Back view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia pallida'' plant.
Image:Zebrina1.jpg|Front view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia zebrina'' plant.
Image:Zebrina2.jpg|Back view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia zebrina'' plant.
</gallery>
[[Category:Commelinaceae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
| color = lightgreen
| name = Wandering Jew
| image = Wandering Jew pl.jpg
| image_caption = A flowering Wandering Jew plant
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Liliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Commelinales]]
| familia = [[Commelinaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Spiderwort|Tradescantia]]''
| species = '''''T. pallida'''''
| binomial = ''Tradescantia pallida''
| binomial_authority = (Rose) D. Hunt
}}
===Meaning of the name===
"Wandering Jew" is the colloquial name used to refer to three separate (but related) [[species]] of [[spiderwort]], commonly grown as [[houseplant]]s. The name is a reference to the "[[Wandering Jew]]", a figure from [[Christian]] [[folklore]].
Until recently, only one of these full species (T. fluminensis) was recognized as belonging to the genus [[Spiderwort|Tradescantia]]. The original names of the other two species are listed in their respective sections.
All three of these plants grow in a similar way and have similar style leaves and stalks. They are all very hardy plants, and share the common characteristic of being exceptionally easy to propagate. One need not even place [[cuttings]] in [[water]]; merely cutting off a piece of the plant and placing it in moist [[dirt]] should suffice, and the cutting will usually grow quite prolifically.
The following sections pertain to the three separate species commonly known as "Wandering Jew".
===Tradescantia pallida (Setcreasea purpurea)===
The '''Wandering Jew''' (''Tradescantia pallida'', synonym ''Setcreasea purpurea'') is a species of spiderwort native to eastern [[Mexico]], from [[Tamaulipas]] to [[Yucatan]]. It is an evergreen [[perennial plant]] with elongated, pointed [[leaf|leaves]] 7-15 cm long, and small three-[[petal]]led white, pink or purple [[flower]]s with yellow [[stamen]]s. The leaves are glaucous green, often with a red or purple fringe, or (in many [[cultivar]]s) purple throughout, or green and white [[variegation|variegated]]. The plant thrives in sun or light shade in subtropical areas, grows to 20-40 cm tall.
The botanical name for the genus is in honour of [[John Tradescant the elder]]. The species name ''pallida'' refers to the pale (pallid) flowers.
The NCBI uses the classification ''Setcreasea purpurea'', a classification which the ITIS and most other authorities reject as a synonym of ''Tradescantia pallida''. Some other websites list it under the name ''Setcreasea pallida''.
Adding to the naming confusion, ''T. pallida'' (in addition to the "Wandering Jew" moniker) is also known as ''Purple Heart''.
The Wandering Jew has escaped from cultivation in many areas from the southern United States to South America and in the warmer parts of former British colonies, including [[Australia]]; in many areas it is considered an [[invasive species|invasive weed]].
{{commons|Tradescantia_pallida|Tradescantia pallida}}<br>
===Tradescantia fluminensis===
In [[Australia]] and [[New Zealand]], the closely related [[Brazil]]ian species ''Tradescantia fluminensis'' is also known as '''Wandering Jew'''. It is an invasive weed in native bush areas and is consided a noxious weed or pest plant that landowners are responsible for eradicating because ''Tradescantia'' is distinct in its ability to colonise low-light areas. It can form a dense mat under forest, which smothers low-growing plants and prevents the natural regeneration of taller native species. If left unchecked it can lead to the destruction of native forests. This plant can be seen in the New Zealand native bush in at least one scene in the movie ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (film)|The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]''. ''Tradescantia fluminensis'' is also a serious problem in parts of Florida.
Even where the climate does not promote ''Tradescantia'' to set fruit, it still spreads quickly through its rapid growth and being dragged by stock, other animals and humans, and soil movement. The succulent stems easily break at the nodes and take root wherever they land on moist soil. While ''T
radescantia'' will respond to [[herbicide]]s and other applied [[weed control]]s, as each piece of stem has the ability to regenerate ''Tradescantia'' is able to make a rapid come-back, especially in soft soils where regenerating stems maybe under the surface. Either regular repeated applications of weed-control are required, which may have a significant negative effect upon neighbouring plants, or, a final manual clearance should be made. Manual clearance is not necessarily as arduous as it can seem as an initial clearance by raking will make a significant impact. With repeated manual clearance at 3 month intervals, eradication is possible. Regular monitoring of invasion from neighbouring areas is likely to be indicated.
{{commons|Tradescantia_fluminensis|Tradescantia fluminensis}}<br>
===Tradescantia zebrina===
Formerly known as ''Zebrina pendula'', yet another Tradescantia species in addition to ''fluminensis'' and ''pallida'' shares the common name '''Wandering Jew'''. Commonly sold as a [[houseplant]], ''Tradescantia zebrina'' has attractive purplish-green leaves, the upper leaf surface showing [[purple]] new growth and [[green]] older growth as well as two silvery-colored stripes, with the lower leaf surface showing a deep uniform magenta.
===Cultivation and uses===
The following information was written based on ''T. pallida'', though much of it may apply to ''T. fluminensis'' or ''T. zebrina'' as well.
Wandering Jew is widely used as an ornamental plant in gardens and borders, as a ground cover, hanging plant, or (particularly in colder areas) houseplant. It is propagated easily by cuttings; the stems are visibly segmented and roots will frequently grow from the joints.
While Wandering Jew is non-toxic and generally considered safe for human consumption, it is also exceedingly bland. Wandering Jew has applications as a [[livestock]] and [[poultry]] feed as it is fast-growing, resilient to disease, and tolerates shade.
The fluids from crushed ''T. fluminensis'' and ''T. pallida'' are known as an [[allergen]][http://www.balgownievet.com.au/1_gen_derm_allergy_wandering_jew.htm] to [[dogs]], ranging from a light rash to raised [[pustule]]s.
==External links and references==
*[http://www.itis.usda.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=521419 ITIS ID 521419]
*[http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?mode=Info&id=59015&lvl=3&keep=1&srchmode=1&unlock NCBI ID 59015]
*[http://www.rnzih.org.nz/pages/tradescantiafluminensis.htm ''Tradescantia fluminensis'']
<gallery>
Image:PurpHeart1.jpg|Front view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia pallida'' plant.
Image:PurpHeart2.jpg|Back view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia pallida'' plant.
Image:Zebrina1.jpg|Front view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia zebrina'' plant.
Image:Zebrina2.jpg|Back view of leaves from the ''Tradescantia zebrina'' plant.
</gallery>
[[Category:Commelinaceae]]
[[Category:Garden plants]]
