Moses-in-the-cradle (Tradescantia spathacea, Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 57 (1788))

Family: Commelinaceae

Author: Sw.

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

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Tradescantia

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Mexico to Guatemala

Description

Moses-in-the-cradle, known scientifically as Tradescantia spathacea, is a distinctive and attractive plant that belongs to the Commelinaceae family. This hardy perennial is native to southern Mexico and Guatemala, thriving in the warm and tropical climates of these regions.

The plant is easily recognizable by its striking foliage. Each leaf is sword-shaped, measuring between 12 to 24 inches long. The upper surface of the leaves is a rich, glossy green, while the underside is a striking purple, providing a visually appealing contrast. This unique coloration makes Moses-in-the-cradle a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor gardening enthusiasts looking to add a splash of color to their spaces.

Tradescantia spathacea gets its common name, Moses-in-the-cradle, from the distinctive boat-shaped bracts that cradle small, white, three-petaled flowers. These blossoms nestle neatly within the bracts, reminiscent of a tiny cradle holding a baby, thus giving rise to its evocative name.

In its native habitats from southern Mexico to Guatemala, Moses-in-the-cradle typically grows in shady or partially shaded locations, often thriving in understory environments beneath larger plant species. It is well-suited to similarly sheltered positions in cultivated gardens and can also adapt well to household settings, provided it receives the right conditions.

Caring for Tradescantia spathacea involves ensuring it has well-draining soil and a position that receives indirect sunlight. Regular watering is essential, although the plant should not be left waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. When grown indoors, it appreciates high humidity levels, replicating its natural tropical environment.

Moses-in-the-cradle also boasts some practical benefits beyond its ornamental appeal. It is known for its air-purifying qualities, capable of removing toxins from the air, which makes it an excellent choice for enhancing indoor air quality.

For those interested in adding this plant to their collection, it requires minimal maintenance and is quite resilient, making it accessible even for novice gardeners. However, it is important to handle the plant with care, as the sap can cause skin irritation in some individuals.

In summary, Moses-in-the-cradle (Tradescantia spathacea) embodies both beauty and function with its vivid foliage and unique flowering structure, ease of care, and air-purifying properties, making it a valuable addition to any plant lover’s collection.

Common Names

Eng: boatlily, moses-in-the-cradle, boat-lily, oyster plant, oysterplant
Por: abacaxi-roxo, moisés-no-berço
Swe: blomstervagga
Deu: purpurblättrige dreimasterblume
En: Moses-in-the-cradle, Oysterplant, Boat-lily, Boatlily, Boat lily, Moses in the cradle, Oyster plant, Three men in a boat, Boat plant, Moses in a boat, Moses-In-The-Boat, Moses-in-a-basket
Fr: Gros curage, Grosse herbe grasse, Tradescantia
De: Purpurblättrige Dreimasterblume
Pt: Abacaxi-roxo, Moisés-no-berço
Es: Magueyito, Sanguinaria, Canoa di San Pedro, Señoritas embarcadas
Sv: Blomstervagga

Synonyms

• Tradescantia versicolor (Salisb.)
• Tradescantia discolor (L’Hér.)
• Tradescantia discolor var. variegata (Hook.)
• Ephemerum bicolor (Moench)
• Tradescantia discolor var. lineata (Verschaff.)
• Rhoeo spathacea f. variegata ((Hook.) Stehlé)
• Rhoeo spathacea f. concolor ((Baker) Stehlé)
• Rhoeo spathacea ((Sw.) Stearn)
• Tradescantia discolor var. concolor (Baker)
• Rhoeo discolor ((L’Hér.) Hance)
• Tradescantia discolor var. vittata (Regel)
• Tradescantia odoratissima (Veitch ex J.Dix)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Bermuda (introduced)
• Chagos Archipelago (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Cocos (Keeling) Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Honduras (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Korea (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Line Is. (introduced)
• Louisiana (introduced)
• Nansei-shoto (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• Nicaragua (introduced)
• Niue (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Ogasawara-shoto (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Tokelau-Manihiki (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Tuamotu (introduced)
• Tubuai Is. (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)

Additional Images

Leaf

Taken Dec 5, 2019 by Frisco Nobilly (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 10, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 4, 2019 by Monica Monica Monserrat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 6, 2019 by MAndrade MAndrade (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 9, 2021 by Bruno Henrique Bortotto da Silva (cc-by-sa)

© 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 Oct 29, 2021 by معلومات فلاحية (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 13, 2020 by jaebong mosquera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 12, 2020 by Precious Mempin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 19, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2020 by Jaramillo Gina (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 14, 2021 by Marwan Ghajar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2017 by arundina (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 20, 2022 by matina marina (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 4, 2017 by Rémi Knaff (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Mar 22, 2021 by Setyanta Liza (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 29, 2019 by zew zew (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2020 by Erick Arias Barrera (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 13, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 20, 2022 by Emilio Nieto (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2021 by dan hewison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by Marco Dansereau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 17, 2022 by Noland Aull (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Sep 23, 2020 by Leonarben Paulo Betonio (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 27, 2022 by daniele carvalho (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 27, 2022 by Kevin Wormington (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 2, 2021 by Владислав влан (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2765230)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:173471-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Tradescantia spathacea Sw.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Forb/herb

Growth