Tradescantia spathacea Sw., Commelinaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 11 (Go to the risk assessment)

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

Common name(s): [more details]

Chinese: zi bei wan nian qing

English: Moses in a boat, boat lily, 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

Marshallese: kiöp

Niuean: laupapaki, talotalo

Palauan: kobesos

Rakahanga-Manihiki: riri katikati, riri vareau

Spanish: barca de San Pedro, barquito de San Pedro

Tongan: fainā, fainā fa‘itoka, fainā 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:  "Coastal tropical hammocks adn scrub, pinelands, disturbed sites.  Its dense clumps form a continuous cover on the floor, preventing growth and establishment of native plants.  Tree seedlings are unable to grow in these stands"  (Weber, 2003; p. 437).  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.  "Spreads readily by seeds and by producing numerous offshoots.  Damaged plants easily resprout from the root"  (Weber, 2003; p. 437).

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
American Samoa Tutuila Islands	Tutuila Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Setchell, William Albert (1924) (p. 108) Garden escape.
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.
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (US) Northern Mariana Islands	Rota Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (1979) (voucher ID: PTBG 22659) Taxon name on voucher: Tradescantia spathacea
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Manihiki Atoll		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
Cook Islands Northern Cook Islands	Rakahanga Atoll		McCormack, Gerald (2013)
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 (2013)
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 (2013)
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 (2013)
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 (2013)
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 (2013)
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	introduced	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy (2010) (p. 7)
Federated States of Micronesia Pohnpei Islands	Pohnpei Island	introduced cultivated	Herrera, Katherine/Lorence, David H./Flynn, Timothy/Balick, Michael J. (2010) (p. 40)
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 Gambier Islands	Akamaru Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Mangareva (Gambier) Island	introduced cultivated	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 10) Voucher cited: Fosberg 11046 (BISH)
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Taravai Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Gambier Islands	Taravai Island	introduced	St. John, Harold (1988) (p. 10) Voucher cited: St. John 14767 (BISH)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Nuku Hiva (Nukahiva) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: L. Dunn 421 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Huka (Huahuna, Uahuka) Island		National Tropical Botanical Garden (U.S.A. Hawaii. Kalaheo.) (2003) (voucher ID: PTBG 40987) Taxon name on voucher: Tradescantia spathacea
French Polynesia Marquesas Islands	Ua Pou (Huapu, Uapou, Uapu) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Wagner, Warren L. (2013)
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	Moorea Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 31)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 2668 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tetiaroa Atoll	introduced cultivated	Sachet, M.-H./Fosberg, F. R. (1983) (p. 65)
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tupai Island	introduced cultivated	Sachet, M.-H. (1983) (p. 15)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Hao (Hau) Atoll	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Makatea (Ma‘atea) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 2980 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Moruroa Atoll	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Niau Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 10196 (PAP) Naturalisée
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	Raro‘ia Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Doty, Maxwell S. (1954) (p. 39)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Raro‘ia Atoll	introduced invasive	Meyer, Jean-Yves/Fourdrigniez, Marie (2008) (p. 15)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Takapoto Atoll	introduced cultivated	Sachet, M-H. (1983) (p. 16)
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Tenarunga Atoll	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Tuamotu Archipelago	Tikehau (Tikahau) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 7137 (PAP) Ornementale subspontanée.
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Raivavae (Raevavae) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Voucher cited: J. Florence 5764 (PAP) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rimatara (Rimitara) Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) Islands	Rurutu Island	introduced invasive	Florence, J./Chevillotte, H./Ollier, C./Meyer, J.-Y. (2013) Naturalisée
French Polynesia Austral (Tubuai) 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	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Frohlich, Danielle/Lau, Alex (2012) (p. 33) Voucher cited: OED 2010021906 (BISH)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Frohlich, Danielle/Lau, Alex (2010) (p. 10) Voucher cited: OED 2008090401 (BISH)
Japan (offshore islands) Ogasawara (Bonin) 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)
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Mili (Mile) Atoll	introduced invasive cultivated	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2010) (p. A4) Locally abundant; used as boarder of paths and around houses on Tokewa, few homes on Mili.
Marshall Islands Ratak Chain	Wotje (Wõjjã) Atoll	introduced	Vander Velde, Nancy/Vander Velde, Brian (2009) (p. 3) Voucher cited: Vander Velde 0517200906
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 Kayangel Atoll	Kayangel Islet	introduced invasive cultivated	Miles, Joel (2015) (p. 2) ref states "Cultivated"
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 88)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Angaur (Ngeaur) Island		Bishop Museum (Honolulu) (1950) (voucher ID: BISH 436418) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Palau Palau (Belau ) (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 (Belau ) (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 (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 83)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Lorence, David H./Flynn, Tim (2010) (p. 8)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Koror (Oreor) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 13)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 83)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Malakal (Ngemelachel) Island		Beleu National Museum (Republic of Palau. Koror.) (1967) (voucher ID: BNM 95) Taxon name on voucher: Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
Palau Palau (Belau ) (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 (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (p. 83)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Ngerkebesang Island	introduced cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 13)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced	Fosberg, F. R./Sachet, Marie-Hélène/Oliver, Royce (1987) (p. 98)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Waterhouse, Barbara/Miles, Joel E./Tiobech, Joseph/Rengulbai, Kashgar (2003) (pp. 11, 91)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Space, James C./Lorence, David H./LaRosa, Anne Marie (2009) (p. 13)
Palau Palau (Belau ) (main island group)	Peleliu (Beliliou) 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)
Papua New Guinea Bismarck Archipelago	Bismarck Archipelago	introduced	Peekel, P. G. [translated by E. E. Henty] (1984) (p. 80)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands	introduced cultivated	Merrill, Elmer D. (1925) (p. 199) Planted for ornamental purposes, sometimes long-persistent after cultivation but scarcely established.
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) Midway Atoll	Sand Island	introduced cultivated	Starr, Forest/Starr, Kim/Loope, Lloyd (2008) (pp. B-14) Voucher cited: Starr & Starr 080607-17
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
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
China China	China (People's Republic of)	introduced invasive cultivated	Zhengyi, Wu/Raven, Peter H./Deyuan, Hong (2013) Widely cultivated as an ornamental in S. China. Naturalized, Hong Kong.
China China	Hong Kong	introduced cultivated	Wu, Te-lin (2001) (p. 304)
Japan Japan	Japan	introduced	Mito, Toshikazu/Uesugi, Tetsuro (2004) (p. 191) As Rhoeo spathacea Stearn
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
Singapore Singapore	Singapore (Republic of)	introduced cultivated	Chong, Kwek Yan/Tan, Hugh T. W./Corlett, Richard T. (2009) (p. 87) Cultivated only

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)
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced cultivated	Whistler, W. Arthur (1996) (p. 32) As Rhoeo spathacea (Sw.) Stearn
British Indian Ocean Territory Chagos Archipelago	Diego Garcia Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Rivers, Julie (2004) (pp. 1, 6)
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. (2013) Naturalized
Seychelles Seychelles Islands	Seychelles Islands	introduced	Invasive Species Specialist Group (2017)

Also reported from
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	United States (other states)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013) Louisiana
United States (continental except west coast) United States (other states)	USA (Florida)	introduced	U.S. Dept. Agr., Nat. Res. Cons. Serv. (2013)

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).