What does it look like?
This perennial groundcover features fleshy, dark green, shiny oval leaves (3–6 cm long) with pointed tips, growing on succulent, creeping stems that root at every node in contact with the ground. It produces white, three-petalled flowers from spring to summer, though in New Zealand it does not set fruit or seed.
Variegated and purple-backed leaf cultivars are common but promptly revert to the typical green form. The plant spreads easily through stem fragments carried by water, livestock, dumped vegetation, soil movement, boots, and mowing equipment.
It mainly inhabits damp, shaded environments, especially disturbed or previously grazed forests, shrublands, streamside’s, river systems, alluvial terraces, fern lands, wetlands, and any areas downstream or adjacent to established infestations. It’s highly tolerant of dense shade, severe damage, grazing, wet conditions, and a wide range of soil types and temperatures, but it’s sensitive to frost and drought.
Why is it a problem?
It smothers ground in light to deep shade, forming dense mats on the forest floor, smothering low vegetation and preventing the seedlings of native species from establishing. It causes habitats to open and be invaded by exotic shrubs and vines. Mats growing on riverbanks can break away with water flow and contribute to flooding. It can cause dermatitis in dogs.
Control methods
Physical control
Cover the area with black plastic for 6 to 12 months or rake into heaps and cover for 6 to 12 months. Follow up every three months for best control.
For small amounts that you can remove by hand - freezing for 24hrs will kill tradescantia and it can then be composted.
Herbicide control
Spray with 60ml triclopyr (600g/l e.g. Grazon®) + 10ml penetrant per 10 L water. Follow up every three months for best control.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide, PLEASE READ THE LABEL THOROUGHLY to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
More information
Also known as 'Wandering Jew'
Related links
http://apps.mpi.govt.nz/applications/nzpests-view/Article/531/Wandering-Jew
http://www.nzpcn.org.nz/flora_details.aspx?ID=2558
http://www.nzflora.info/factsheet/Taxon/Tradescantia-fluminensis.html
https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor-cgi/uor.pl/show?species_id=36750
https://www.weedbusters.org.nz/what-are-weeds/weed-list/tradescantia
Management Programme
National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA)
The NPPA is designed to prevent the sale, distribution and propagation of a set list of pest plants (the Accord list) within New Zealand. If allowed to spread further, these pest plants could seriously damage the New Zealand economy and environment.
More informationUnwanted Organism
An unwanted organism is any organism that's capable of causing harm to natural or physical resources (like forests and waterways) or human health. A number of introduced pests in New Zealand are classed as unwanted.
Taxonomies
FamilyCommelinaceae
TypePlants
GroupGroundcover
HabitatLand
Management ProgrammeNational Pest Plant Accord (NPPA)Unwanted Organism
