Cohitre blanco (Tradescantia zanonia, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 57 (1788))

Family: Commelinaceae

Author: (L.) Sw.

Bibliography: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 57 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tradescantia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Cohitre blanco, scientifically identified as Tradescantia zanonia, belongs to the Commelinaceae family. This plant species is notable for its widespread presence, stretching from Mexico down through Tropical America.

Tradescantia zanonia was first described in the comprehensive botanical reference work, “Prodromus Vegetationis Indiae Occidentalis,” published in 1788. The Latin abbreviation “(L.) Sw.” acknowledges the species initially named by Carl Linnaeus (indicated by “L.”) and later revised by Olof Swartz (“Sw.”).

Cohitre blanco thrives in diverse ecological niches within its extensive geographical range. Tropical climates furnish optimal conditions, facilitating its growth and proliferation. The adaptability of Tradescantia zanonia enables it to inhabit various habitats, enriching the floral diversity of the regions it populates.

As a member of the Commelinaceae family, Cohitre blanco shares characteristics common to this group, such as herbaceous stems and specialized flowers. These attributes contribute to its identification and classification within the botanical community.

Tradescantia zanonia is an essential component of tropical ecosystems, serving various ecological roles. Its resilience and adaptability make it a subject of interest for botanical studies and conservation efforts, offering insights into the complexity and interconnectivity of tropical plant communities.

In summary, Cohitre blanco is a significant botanical entity within the Tradescantia genus, exemplifying the rich biodiversity found from Mexico to Tropical America. Its historical classification and continuous presence in scientific literature reinforce its importance in the realm of botany.

Common Names

Spa: cojite blanco
Por: trapoerabarana
En: Cohitre blanco
Pt: Trapoerabarana
Es: Cojite blanco, Canutillo

Synonyms

• Campelia glabrata (Kunth)
• Tradescantia capitata (Vell.)
• Campelia zanonia var. glabrata ((Kunth) C.B.Clarke)
• Campelia hoffmannii (Hassk.)
• Campelia fendleri (Hassk.)
• Campelia zanonia var. sessilis (C.B.Clarke)
• Campelia boucheana (Schult. & Schult.f.)
• Campelia scandens (Hassk.)
• Campelia fastigiata (Schltdl.)
• Campelia pseudozanonia (Kunth)
• Zanonia bibracteata (Cramer)
• Campelia mexicana (Mart. ex Kunth)
• Campelia bibracteata ((Cramer) Wied-Neuw.)
• Tradescantia gentianifolia (Salisb.)
• Commelina zanonia (L.)
• Tradescantia gonatandra (Schltdl.)
• Sarcoperis bibracteata ((Cramer) Raf.)
• Gonatandra tradescantioides (Schltdl.)
• Campelia zanonia ((L.) Kunth)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Mar 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Mar 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jul 1, 2016 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Mar 2, 2015 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2009 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Bark

Taken Aug 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Aug 27, 2016 by Nelson Zamora Villalobos (cc-by-nc)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by feuilles alternes (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – O. Vargas (cc-by-nc-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Apr 17, 2019 by OTS – R. Aguilar (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2765134)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:1191409-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tradescantia zanonia (L.) Sw.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub, Forb/herb

Growth