Tradescantia fluminensis

taxobox
name = "Tradescantia fluminensis"

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image_caption = "Tradescantia fluminensis"
regnum = Plantae
unranked_divisio = Angiosperms
unranked_classis = Monocots
unranked_ordo = Commelinids
ordo = Commelinales
familia = Commelinaceae
genus = "Tradescantia"
species = "T. fluminensis"
binomial = "Tradescantia fluminensis"
binomial_authority = Vell.
synonyms = "Tradescantia albiflora"
River Spiderwort
Small-Leaf Spiderwort
Inch Plant
Wandering Jew|

"Tradescantia fluminensis" is a species of spiderwort native to South America more commonly known as "Wandering Jew", a name it shares with closely related varieties "T. pallida" and "T. zebrina".

Though often grown in the United States as a garden plant or houseplant, in many places "T. fluminensis" is considered an invasive species, noxious weed, or pest plant and is consequently targeted for eradication. Seriously affected areas include the southeastern United StatesCite web |url=http://www.fleppc.org/eddmaps/species/ |accessdate=2008-07-14 |year=2007 |title=Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council’s 2007 List of Invasive Plant Species |author=Florida Exotic Plant Pest Council] , Australia,cite book |title=Winning the war of Weeds: The Essential Gardener's Guide to Weed Identification and Control |last=Wolff |first=Mark A. |year=1999 |publisher=Kangaroo Press |location=Kenthurst, NSW |isbn=0-86417-993-6|pages=p. 57] and New Zealand.

The seriously invasive qualities of "T. fluminensis" result from a combination of attributes. Forming a dense mat underneath forest tree cover (facilitated by a remarkable shade tolerance), it smothers ground-level plants and prevents the natural regeneration of taller species; if left unchecked, it can lead to the destruction of native forests. Even where the climate does not permit "T. fluminensis" to take root, it still can spread rapidly from being transported by animals and humans. The succulent stems break easily at the nodes and establish themselves wherever they land on moist soil. While "T. fluminensis" does respond to herbicides and other applied weed controls, each segment has the ability to regenerate, so it is able to make a rapid comeback, especially in soft soils where stems may remain underneath the surface. Constant deployment of weed-control agents may have a negative effect upon the local environment, so the only option remaining is manual clearance. This is not necessarily as arduous as it may seem, since an initial clearance performed by simply raking the area will have a significant impact. With repeated efforts, each at intervals of a couple months, complete eradication is possible. Regular monitoring of invasion from neighbouring areas is indicated.

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External links

* [http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=39161 Standard Data Report: Tradescantia fluminensis] - Integrated Taxonomic Information System
* [http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=TRFL PLANTS Profile: Tradescantia fluminensis] - National Resources Conservation Service (US Department of Agriculture)
* [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/Taxonomy/Browser/wwwtax.cgi?name=Tradescantia+fluminensis Taxonomy Browser: Tradescantia fluminensis] - National Center for Biotechnology Information (US National Institutes of Health)
* [http://www.desert-tropicals.com/Plants/Commelinaceae/Tradescantia_fluminensis.html Desert Tropicals] - Informational database on common gardening plants, based out of Phoenix, Arizona, USA
* [http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54391/ Dave's Garden] - Community website for home gardeners providing supplies, techniques, and discussion forums.

References