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HerbCultivatedPerennialMedicinal

Tradescantia pallida (Rose) D.R.Hunt

Purple heart
Synonyms: Setcreasea pallida Rose; Setcreasea purpurea Boom (widely used in horticulture)

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Description

Tradescantia pallida is a perennial evergreen succulent herb with trailing to ascending, freely branching stems, usually 20–60 cm long. Stems and leaves are deep purple to violet. Leaves are simple, alternate, lanceolate to narrowly elliptic, fleshy, and 8–15 cm long with entire margins. Flowers are small, bright pink to purple, consisting of three petals, and are borne in terminal or axillary clusters enclosed by purple bracts. Fruits are small capsules containing several dark brown seeds.

Diagnostic Characters

Vegetative
Creeping succulent herb with striking deep purple stems and lanceolate leaves.
Floral
Small three-petaled pink to purple flowers produced in terminal or axillary clusters.
Fruit & Seed
Small capsules containing several dark brown seeds.

Distribution

Native range: Northeastern Mexico.

Introduced range: Widely cultivated and naturalized throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.

In Pakistan: Commonly cultivated throughout Pakistan in gardens, parks, campuses, hanging baskets, and landscape beds; occasionally naturalized in moist disturbed habitats.

Phenology

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Flowering
Fruiting
Flowering: Nearly throughout the year in warm climates, with peak flowering from March to November Fruiting: Throughout the flowering season

Ethnobotany & Uses

Ornamental Uses
One of the most popular ornamental groundcovers due to its attractive purple foliage and continuous flowering.
Medicinal Uses
Traditionally used in some regions for treating minor wounds and inflammatory conditions, although medicinal use is limited.
Environmental Uses
Frequently planted for erosion control, border plantings, and urban landscaping because of its rapid growth and drought tolerance.
Ecological Importance
Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other small pollinating insects.
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Where it grows on campus

South Campus2West Campus1
3
individuals mapped across 2 zones
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Taxonomic Notes

Tradescantia pallida, commonly known as Purple Heart, Purple Queen, or Purple Spiderwort, is easily recognized by its deep purple succulent stems and leaves, together with its small three-petaled pink flowers. It was formerly placed in the genus Setcreasea but is now included in Tradescantia based on morphological and molecular evidence. The accepted name follows Flora of Pakistan, Plants of the World Online (POWO), and World Flora Online (WFO).