Zebrina
(the leaves are striped in a zebra-like manner). ORD. Commelinaceae. A small genus (two species) of stove or greenhouse, loosely decumbent, pendulous or climbing, branched herbs, natives of Mexico. Flowers rather small, shortly pedicellate; calyx trifid, or bifid with one lobe broader; corolla lobes spreading; stamens six; cymes sessile in a spathe, fascicle-like, few or many-flowered; spathes on terminal peduncles. Leaves ovate-lanceolate. Z. pendula forms a good basket plant, and is also useful for covering the earth in very large pots or tubs, or as an edging in suitable places. It thrives in a light, rich soil, and may be very quickly increased by cuttings. Z. pendula (pendulous).* fl., calyx tube whitish; corolla tube white, the segments rose-purple, ovate, obtuse; inflorescence glomerate. Summer. l. 1 3/4in. long, 3/4in. to 1in. broad, sub-sessile, ovate-oblong, acute, scarcely acuminate, or somewhat obtuse, green, striped with white and sparsely pubescent above, purplish and densely pubescent beneath. Stems decumbent, branched, glabrous or pilose on one side. 1849. (R. H. 1855, p. 141.) SYNS. Cyanotis vittata, Tradescantia tricolor, T. zebrina. There is also a tricoloured variety, in which the whitish portion of the upper surface of the leaves is suffused with red.