We always knew that the blue species of the genus Tradescantia (Wandering Jew plants) was a native plant. But then we found two blue ones!! And one is very tall and invasive and not a native, and the flowers are very similar....
great the way you have put them together - I've got em both too - that invasive one is so tough and in this wet we have had this year it's growing insanely fast
They are so hard to get rid of (the bad one) when they get into the garden. Every little bit will grow and multiply at rate! The flowers are pretty though.
Nice comparison, but these flowers can be distinguished. The one on the right has stigma and stamens of equal length, and the one on the left has much shorter stamens than the stigma.
The bad guy is very tricky and he's banking on the idea that you not be paying attention, Hannah is right though- there are differences but you really have to know your stuff to see them! Nice comparison.
@haskar Hi Haskar. Yes, you are right - if you look carefully their stigma and stamens are different - the bad guy also has spines on its stem and one petal is quite different. At least now we know and can try to keep the weed a bit under control. Cheers Rob
@dkbarnett You sound like you've had issues with these Delwyn. We've only just started to see them so hopefully can catch them early. Is the other one native to your area?
@granagringa Hi Granagringa. The weed one has spikes on its stem ( of course!!) and it's third petal is different - so we can tell the difference now that we know. Thanks for your interest. Cheers Rob
@koalagardens Hi Katrina - this is the first we've seen of the weedy one. Unfortunately, it's on the footpath up the end of the road - so we'll end up with it. Our newest enemy!
Ian