1326

 Tradescantia spathacea Sw.

Synonym	:	Tradescantia discolor L'Hér.
Family	:	COMMELINACEAE
Local Nmae	:	English- Rheo
Flowering and fruiting period	:	September-April
Distribution	:	South East Mexico to Guatemala
Distribution in kerala	:	All Districts
Habitat	:	Grown as garden plant
Uses	:	Ornamental plant
Key Botanical Characters  : Trailing stems cascade down from a hanging basket. Stems are clad with fleshy, pointed, stem-clasping, oval leaves (to 2.5” long) that are blue-green with two broad silvery longitudinal stripes above and solid purple underneath. Tiny, three-petaled, lavender-purple flowers appear sporadically throughout the year on plants grown in the native habitat, but flowers rarely appear on indoor plants.