Tradescantia spathacea Sw., Commelinaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Other Latin names:  Rhoeo discolor Hance ex Walp.; Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn; Tradescantia discolor L'Hér.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: boat lily, Moses in a boat, oyster plant, rhoeo, tradescantia

French: Moïse dans les jonc, plante huitre, rhoé

I-Kiribati: te ruru ni

Maori (Cook Islands): riri, riri mangio, riri vareau

Niuean: laupapaki, talotalo

Palauan: kobesos

Rakahanga-Manihiki: riri katikati, riri vareau

Spanish: barca de San Pedro, barquito de San Pedro

Tongan: faina kula

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Rosette-forming succulent herb, stems short, leaves crowded, elongate, broadly linear-lanceolate, up to 30-40 cm long and 4-6 cm wide, the upper surface green, the lower surface rich reddish-purple; inflorescence axillary, short; bracts subsessile, boat-shaped; flowers white; petals 3; stamens 6, ovary 3-celled, cells 1-ovulate; fruit capsular 3-valved; seeds rugose" (Stone, 1970; p. 105).

Habitat/ecology:  Widely planted as an ornamental, often in cemeteries.  Prefers well-drained sites and will grow well on rocks.  Drought resistant.  Likes shade and will invade the forest understory. "It grows easily, preferring well drained localities, especially rocks.  It may also be grown on walls...  Sometimes it is epiphytic." (Stone, 1970; p. 105).

In Fiji, "naturalized at low elevations"; it often occurs as an epiphyte, on stone or coral walls, or on rocky cliffs"  (Smith, 1979; p. 281).  In Niue, "a dense growth now covers many rocky places near the edge of the Lower Terrace, on the west side particularly"  (Sykes, 1970; p. 225). In Tonga, "often planted in cemeteries, from where it becomes established as an escape" (Yuncker, 1959; p. 78). In New Caledonia, "commun à présent dans les jardins, parfois spontané" (MacKee, 1994; pp. 30-31).

Propagation:  Seeds, cuttings, discarded plants.

Native range:  Tropical and subtropical Americas.

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
American Samoa American Samoa Islands	American Samoa Islands		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 6932) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo discolor
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 22) "This species has established itself on the Island in disturbed forest near houses". Voucher cited: J. Conran 632 (K, NSW)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 39113) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 436425) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 436451) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1966) (voucher ID: BISH 561276) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1979) (voucher ID: BISH 661634) Taxon name on voucher: Tradescantia spathacea Sw.
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Manihiki Atoll		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Rakahanga Atoll		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Aitutaki Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 77)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	‘Atiu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 83)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Mangaia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 89)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Ma‘uke Island	invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 14)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island		McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Miti‘aro Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 100)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	cultivated	McCormack, Gerald (2008)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 72)
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1929) (voucher ID: BISH 109800) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo discolor
Cook Islands Southern Cook Islands	Rarotonga Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1982) (voucher ID: BISH 596094) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo discolor
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Pis Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Pis Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 39135) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Pis Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1965) (voucher ID: BISH 81740) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Pis Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1993) (voucher ID: BISH 633454) Taxon name on voucher: Tradescantia spathacea Sw.
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Puluwat (Pwonowót) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Manner, H. I./Mallon, E. (1989) (p. 39) Voucher cited: Manner & Mallon 209 (GUAM)
Federated States of Micronesia Chuuk Islands	Satawan Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island	introduced invasive	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Denslow, Julie S./Nelson, Duane/Waguk, Erick E. (2000) (p. 26)
Federated States of Micronesia Kosrae Island	Kosrae Island		Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2005) (p. 7)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island		Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (1998) (p. 8)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Fais Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Fais Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Evans, M. (1969) (p. 5) Voucher cited: Fosberg 46682 (US) Probably persisting from cultivation.
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Ulithi Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1947) (voucher ID: BISH 699286) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Federated States of Micronesia Yap Islands	Woleai Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 628343) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Fiji Fiji Islands	Rotuma Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1938) (voucher ID: BISH 628348) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Smith, Albert C. (1979) (p. 281) Voucher cited: DA 16713
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1969) (voucher ID: BISH 33966) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2008)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Huahine Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 31)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Maupiti (Maurua) Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1987) (p. 20)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 31)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tetiaroa Atoll	introduced cultivated	Sachet, M.-H./Fosberg, F. R. (1983) (p. 65)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tupai (Tubai) Island	introduced cultivated	Sachet, M.-H. (1983) (p. 15)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Niau Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1990) (voucher ID: BISH 642080) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Raroia Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Doty, Maxwell S. (1954) (p. 39)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Takapoto Atoll	introduced cultivated	Sachet, M-H. (1983) (p. 16)
French Polynesia Tubuai (Austral) Islands	Rurutu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1981) (voucher ID: BISH 581471) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Stone, Benjamin C. (1970) (p. 105) Voucher cited: Stone 5610 (GUAM)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1949) (voucher ID: BISH 436419) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Guam Guam Island	Guam Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 436431) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced	Wester, Lyndon (1992) (p. 117)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawaiian Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1376) Escape from cultivation.
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced	Wester, Lyndon (1992) (p. 117)
Japan (offshore islands) Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	Bonin (Ogasawara) Islands	introduced	Kato, Hidetoshi (2007)
Kiribati Line Islands	Tabuaeran (Fanning) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Wester, Lyndon (1985) (p. 19)
Kiribati Line Islands	Tabuaeran (Fanning) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1972) (voucher ID: BISH 80520) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Abaiang Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98) Cultivated?
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Butaritari Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 10)
Kiribati Tungaru (Gilbert) Islands	Tarawa Atoll	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Imada, Clyde T. (2004) (p. 10)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ailinglaplap (Ailinglapalap) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ailinglaplap (Ailinglapalap) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 39109) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ebon (Epoon) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Ebon (Epoon) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 699287) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Jaluit (Jãlwõj) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kili (Kõle) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2006) (p. 2) "Rare; few small plants near rock boarder of private home, central road, to the north, possibly remnant of more extensive planting".
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ralik Chain	Kwajalein (Kuwajleen) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. A./Steele, O. (1999) (p. 104)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Ailuk (Aelok) Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Ailuk (Aelok) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R. (1955) (p. 6) Voucher cited: Fosberg 33974 (US)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Ailuk (Aelok) Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1951) (voucher ID: BISH 109805) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll		Anderson, Donald (1951) (p. vi) Voucher cited: Anderson 3621
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 109806) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Arno Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 571840) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo discolor
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Likiep Atoll	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Likiep Atoll		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1946) (voucher ID: BISH 421918) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Majuro (Mãjro) Atoll	introduced cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy (2003) (p. 36)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Nauru Nauru Island	Nauru Island	introduced cultivated	Thaman, R. R./Fosberg, F. R./Manner, H. I./Hassall, D. C. (1994) (p. 48) Voucher cited: Fosberg 58703 (US)
New Caledonia Îles Loyauté (Loyalte Islands)	Île Tiga	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (pp. 20-21) Voucher cited: MacKee 45954
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive cultivated	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (pp. 20-21) Vouchers cited: Däniker 328, MacKee 27928
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive	Sykes, W. R. (1970) (p. 225) Voucher cited: CHR 168858
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2000) (p. 5)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Whistler, W. A./Atherton, J. (1997) (p. 50)
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1943) (p. 32) Voucher cited: Yuncker 9593 (BISH) "Introduced ornamental which has become naturalized. It is common in waste areas and especially on rocks near the sea where it occasionally forms large patches".
Niue Niue	Niue Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara M./Newfield, Melanie/Bull, Cate (2004) (pp. 13, 15)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 88)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Angaur Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 436418) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Palau Palau (main island group)	Babeldaob Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 86)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Kayangel (Ngcheangel) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 89) Cultivated?
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 83)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (1998) (p. 8)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Koror Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 13)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 83)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Malakal Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1967) (voucher ID: BNM 95) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngercheu Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 92) Carp Resort
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 83)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 13)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 91)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 13)
Palau Palau (main island group)	Peleliu Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1958) (voucher ID: BNM 96) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Palau Sonsorol Group	Sonsorol Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 94)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Savai‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Samoa Western Samoa Islands	Upolu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2002) (p. 7)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	Lifuka and Foa Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Ha‘apai Group	‘Uiha Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands	introduced invasive cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 78) "Found throughout Tonga"
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	‘Eua Island		Drake, D. R./Whistler, W. A./Motley, T. J./Imada, C. T. (1996)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 78) Voucher cited: Yuncker 15129
Tonga Tongatapu Group	Tongatapu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1953) (voucher ID: BISH 109802) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo discolor
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Niuatoputapu Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1976) (voucher ID: BISH 456090) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Flynn, Tim (2001) (p. 7)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
United States (other Pacific offshore islands) Wake Islands	Wake Island	introduced cultivated	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, M.-H. (1969) (p. 7) Potted plant seen in 1963.
Wallis and Futuna Wallis and Futuna (Horne) Islands	Wallis (‘Uvea) Island	introduced cultivated	Meyer, Jean-Yves (2007) (p. 25)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Guatemala Guatemala	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2009)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2009)

Indian Ocean
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Christmas Island Group	Christmas Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Swarbrick, J. T. (1997) (p. 125) Moist shady areas.
Australia (Indian Ocean offshore islands) Cocos (Keeling) Islands	Cocos (Keeling) Islands	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1993) (p. 38)
La Réunion (France) La Réunion Island	La Réunion Island	introduced invasive	Lavergne, Christophe (2006) "Subspontané (envahissant)"
Maldives Maldive Islands	Maldive Islands		Fosberg, F. R. (1957) (pp. 9, 14)
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2009) Naturalized

Comments:  Widely planted and naturalized on Niue (Space & Flynn, 2000).

On Ma‘uke, Cook Islands, large areas of Tradescantia spathacea are growing in the forest understory, on rocks, etc. (similar to the behavior noted on Niue) (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Commonly planted (often in cemeteries) and escaping in Tonga (Space & Flynn, 2001).

Planted but not (yet) escaping in Samoa (Space & Flynn, 2002).

Control: 

Physical:  Hand pull or dig out seedlings and scattered plants.

Chemical:  Cut down large infestations and treat the regrowth with herbicide (Weber, 2003; p. 437).

Additional information:
Photos and additional information at University of Florida, Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants.
Information from the Global Invasive Species Database.
Information from the book "Identification and biology of non-native plants in Florida's natural areas" (PDF format).

Additional online information about Tradescantia spathacea is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Information about Tradescantia spathacea as a weed (worldwide references) may be available from the Global Compendium of Weeds (GCW).

Taxonomic information about Tradescantia spathacea may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

Other Latin names:  Rhoeo discolor Hance ex Walp.; Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn; Tradescantia discolor L'Hér.

References:

Anderson, Donald. 1951. The plants of Arno Atoll, Marshall Islands. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 7. Pacific Science Board, National Academy of Sciences, Washington. 4 pp. + 7 pp. appendix.

Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.). 1958. Voucher specimen #BNM96(Owen, R.P. 8).

Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.). 1967. Voucher specimen #BNM95(Hardy, S. 48).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1929. Voucher specimen #BISH 109800 (Wilder, G.P. 874).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1938. Voucher specimen #BISH 6932 (Meebold, H. 26514).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1938. Voucher specimen #BISH 628343 (St.John, H. 19508).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1938. Voucher specimen #BISH 628348 (St.John, H. 19508).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 39109 (Fosberg, F.R. 26850).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 39113 (Fosberg, F.R. 25130).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 39135 (Fosberg, F.R. 24625).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 421918 (St.John, H. 21722).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1946. Voucher specimen #BISH 699287 (St.John, H. 22128).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1947. Voucher specimen #BISH 699286 (Lessa, W.A. 96).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1949. Voucher specimen #BISH 436419 (Anderson, D. 193).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 109806 (Anderson, D. 3621).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 436418 (Fosberg, F.R. 32000).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 436431 (Fosberg, F.R. 31236).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1950. Voucher specimen #BISH 571840 (Anderson, D. 3621).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1951. Voucher specimen #BISH 109805 (Fosberg, F.R. 33974).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1953. Voucher specimen #BISH 109802 (Yuncker, T.G. 15129).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1965. Voucher specimen #BISH 81740 (Evans, M. 832).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1966. Voucher specimen #BISH 436425 (Evans, M. 2292).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1966. Voucher specimen #BISH 436451 (Evans, M. 2136).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1966. Voucher specimen #BISH 561276 (Evans, M. 2136).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1969. Voucher specimen #BISH 33966 (Parham, J.W. 16713).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1972. Voucher specimen #BISH 80520 (Russell, D.J. 28).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1976. Voucher specimen #BISH 456090 (Kirch, P.V. 250).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1979. Voucher specimen #BISH 661634 (Fosberg, F.R. 58250).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1981. Voucher specimen #BISH 581471 (Hallé, N. 7178).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1982. Voucher specimen #BISH 596094 (Sykes, W.R. 399892).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1990. Voucher specimen #BISH 642080 (Florence 10196).

Bishop Museum (Honolulu). 1993. Voucher specimen #BISH 633454 (A.K.Kepler 93-59).

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Orchard, Anthony E., ed. 1993. Flora of Australia. Vol. 50, Oceanic islands 2. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

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Sachet, M-H. 1983. Takapoto Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago: terrestrial vegetation and flora. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 277. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 41 pp. + photos.

Sachet, M.-H. 1983. Botanique de l'ile de Tupai, Iles de la Societe. Atoll Research Bulletin No. 276. Smithsonian Institution, Washington. 26 pp. + photos.

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