Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Tuesday - June 02, 2009

From: Royse City, TX
Region: Select Region
Topic: Invasive Plants
Title: Identity of Dwarf Oyster Plant.
Answered by: Jimmy Mills

QUESTION:

I purchased a plant from the local Home Depot, and it said on the sticker in was a Dwarf Oyster Plant. I can't seem to find any information on that name, so maybe it was marked wrong. See if you can help me. It is a long leaf plant, no flowers apparent, the leaves are purple on one side and kind of light purple on the other with green varigated stripes, they are about 4-6 inches in length, smooth and a little rubbery, no stems just leaves. Can you identify this plant?

ANSWER:

Dwarf Oyster Plant is one of several common names for Tradescantia spathacea; synonym : Rhoeo spathacea. Other common names include Moses in a boat/basket, and boat lily. Its native range is tropical and subtropical Americas, and has been narturalized in Louisiana and Florida where it is considered an invasive species. The dwarf oyster plant is a widely used ornamental and is considered less invasive than the larger variety..

 

 

More Invasive Plants Questions

Looking for non-native Chinese Pistache tree
April 23, 2015 - Where in the Austin area would be a good place to find a nice sized Chinese Pistache to plant in my yard?
view the full question and answer

Problems with non-native, invasive Japanese Privet from Peoria AZ
July 31, 2013 - I have Japanese Privit bushes. one out of 6 has started to grow very small leaves and does not look healthy. Moon Valley told me shortage of zinc, but that has not helped in 3 months. What can I ...
view the full question and answer

Removal of non-native invasive Ligustrum japonica from Austin
February 14, 2012 - I bought a house that I am slowly turning into a native garden, but as a teacher, I have a really small budget. One entire border of my backyard (30 feet) was planted with evil Ligustrum japonica. I l...
view the full question and answer

Ways of eliminating smilax bona-nox
December 16, 2008 - How can I get rid of "smilax bona" or green briar vines besides digging them up one by one? I have been told by Harris County Ext. Office to just mow them.. Ha Ha Good luck with that. Is there a...
view the full question and answer

About Salvia superba
January 09, 2006 - About 10 years ago, nurseries were offering a small salvia, called salvia superba or meadow sage. A few years later, "May Night" and "Blue Hill" appeared on the market similar to this first sal...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.