Floscopa

Scientific name

Floscopa Lour.

Common names

spiderwort

Family

Commelinaceae

Similar genera

Commelina, Murdannia, Sphaerocaryum, Tradescantia

Native distribution

tropical New and Old World

Species cultivated

Floscopa scandens Lour.

Adventive distribution

information not available

Weed status

not weedy

Habit

terrestrialterrestrial:
(adj) growing on land as opposed to living in water
to wetland obligate stem plantstem plant:
(n) (a term used in the aquarium and pond plant trade) having an elongate stem (as opposed to a compact stem)

Brief description

Creeping, ascending or erect, often rooting from the lower nodes. Leaves fleshy, alternatealternate:
(adj) (of leaves) bearing one leaf per node; placed singly on the stem at different heights
, often in groups of 3-4 at the top; ± sessilesessile:
(adj) attached directly, without a stalk
. Inflorescenceinflorescence:
(n) the arrangement of flowers on the floral axis
a terminalterminal:
(adj) at the apex
, branched paniclepanicle:
(n) an indeterminate, branched (often much-branched) inflorescence; the ultimate units may be of a different inflorescence type
, glandular- pubescentpubescent:
(adj) (1) covered with short, soft hairs; (2) bearing hairs
; bracts often small. Flowers sessilesessile:
(adj) attached directly, without a stalk
or pedicellatepedicellate:
(adj) borne on a pedicel
; sepals 3, free, ellipticalelliptical:
(adj) in the form of an ellipse (oval)
or oblongoblong:
(adj) two to four times longer than wide, with +/- parallel sides
-lanceolate, slightly concave, persistentpersistent:
(adj) (of leaves etc,) remaining attached; not being dropped or falling off
, glabrousglabrous:
(adj) without hairs or scales
to hairy; petals 3, pink to purple, sometimes white, free, ob ovateovate:
(adj) egg-shaped in outline; generally with the broad end at or near the base
; stamens 6, in 2 rows of 3.

Natural habitat

wetlands; in or along marshes, swamps, rivers, streams

Additional comments

The majority of species (about 25) are wetland obligates. Floscopa scandens is regularly sold as an aquarium plant.