Family: Commelinaceae

Origin, Description & Uses:
Tradescantia fluminensis, commonly known as wandering Jew or spiderwort, is a creeping perennial groundcover native to southeastern and southern Brazil and northern Argentina. It has trailing, succulent stems that root readily at the nodes and glossy green leaves, with small white three-petaled flowers appearing throughout much of the year. Its rapid growth, dense foliage, and ability to thrive in shade have made it a popular ornamental for hanging baskets, shaded gardens, and as a groundcover in tropical and subtropical landscapes.

Risks & Threats:
Tradescantia fluminensis is naturalized on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island and possesses traits that make it a significant concern for tropical island ecosystems. It spreads aggressively by stem fragments that readily root, forming dense mats that smother native vegetation, suppress seedling establishment, and alter forest floor conditions. The species thrives in moist, shaded habitats and can spread along streams, forest edges, and disturbed areas, making it difficult to control once established. Because of these invasive characteristics, it has the potential to further degrade native ecosystems and reduce biodiversity. When selecting plants for landscaping, choose a low-risk or native groundcover instead whenever possible. Since Tradescantia fluminensis is already widespread in parts of Hawaiʻi, existing plantings should be carefully managed and its use avoided in areas where it is not yet widely established to help minimize further spread and ecological impacts.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Maui, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and widely naturalized elsewhere
  
• An environmental weed in Florida, New Zealand, and Australia
  
• Other Tradescantia species have become invasive
  
• Contact may cause dermatitis with dogs and humans
  
• Shade-tolerant
  
• Smothers low growing vegetation
  
• Forms dense ground cover that excludes other vegetation
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Spreads prolifically from vegetative fragments
  
• Able to reproduce vegetatively at an early growth stage
  
• Vegetative fragments easily dispersed by water, vehicles, machinery, animals, in dumped garden waste or in contaminated soil
  
• Able to resprout after cutting or fire
  
• No effective natural enemies present in the Hawaiian Islands

Low Risk Traits:

• Unarmed (no spines, thorns or burrs)
  
• Palatable to cattle, chickens and rabbits
  
• Ornamental
  
• Seed production may be limited or absent within much of introduced range
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control