Purple Wandering Jew

Description:

This is one of 3 types called Wandering Jew. This one has purple leaves that are spear-like. "Tradescantia pallida is a species of spiderwort (a genus of New World plants) more commonly known as Wandering Jew, a name it shares with the closely related species T. fluminensis and T. zebrina. The colloquialism "Wandering Jew" is of indeterminate provenance insofar as being applied to the plant in question; it cannot really be said when, where, or by whom it was first called this, but, considering the term's negative connotation, it would perhaps be safe to assume that the originator's intent was not to highlight the plant's more favourable qualities. Other common names include Purple Heart and Purple Queen. T. pallida can be primarily described as an evergreen perennial plant of scrambling stature native to the Gulf Coast region of Mexico. It is distinguished by elongated, pointed leaves - themselves glaucous green, fringed with red or purple - and bearing small, sterile three-petaled flowers of white, pink or purple. Plants are top-killed by moderate frosts, but will often sprout back from roots.[2] Protection by mulching will increase the chances of sprouting in marginal areas."

Habitat:

My neighbor's yard.

Notes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tradescanti...