Zebrina

▪ plant genus

      genus of trailing herbaceous plants in the spiderwort family (Commelinaceae) native to Mexico and Guatemala but widely grown as indoor foliage plants in baskets.

      Authorities disagree over the number of species, but several distinct kinds are used in the florist trade. One of the so-called wandering Jews, or inch plants, is Z. pendula, with an array of colourful-leaved varieties including Z. pendula ‘Purpusii,' with dark red or bronzy leaves, and Z. pendula ‘Quadricolor,' with metallic-green leaves striped with green, red, and white. They are often grown as ground cover in warm climates.

      Zebrinas are often confused with members of the genus Tradescantia.

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