Purple queen a good luck ornamental plant

 

Purple queen flowering herb is a species of spiderwort group native to the Gulf Coast region of eastern Mexico. Botanically Tradescantia pallida Purpurea cultivar in the family Commelinaceae ,a perennial herbaceous species with a trailing habit. Commonly called Purple Heart or purple queen, is widely grown as a houseplant, outdoor container plant, or a garden groundcover. Other names include andering Jew and Tradescantia. The species has proved useful in indicating and re moving air and soil pollutants and has also been used in food technology. It is a popular groundcover plant in tropical and semi-tropical areas. In temperate climate areas it has traditionally been used as a houseplant but is increasingly being planted outdoors in containers or as a groundcover. It is also suitable for hanging baskets, border fronts, and rock gardens. It is also grown in the shade but the most intense purple color is achieved in full sun. The plant is remarkable for easily tolerating both drought and frequent watering.

OCCURRENCE

The species is commonly found along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. Native range extends from Tamaulipas to Yucatan. The species has been collected in a tropical deciduous forest also, among roadside limestone rocks, and on limestone outcrops. In India it is named for the striking purple colors of the plant in full sun and found almost everywhere growing in lawns, hanging pots, gardens throughout the year including subtropical foothills and temperate areas.

THE PLANT

It is a perennial herb with elongate decumbent-ascending stems and sub-erect flowering branches. Leaves are sheaths clasping, 1-2.5 cm long, ciliate blades oblong, and 10-18 cm long, and 2-3.5 cm broad, acute at apex, the upper one somewhat smaller. The stems and upper surfaces of the leaves are a deep royal purple that becomes suffused with a faint dusty turquoise-gunmetal undertone as the foliage grows older. The undersides of the leaves are a vivid violet that shades towards pink where the petioles clasp and encircle the stem. Inflorescences are terminal and in upper leaf-axils peduncles mostly 3-10 cm long. Flowers in small densely cymose clusters subtended by 2 or 3 bracts, these similar to leaves but smaller pedicels umbellate, up to 7 mm long, filose toward apex sepals oblong, 8-10 mm long petals pink to rose-purple 15-20 mm long; stamens 6 with 3 filaments epipetalous and 3 adherent to petal margins, glabrous or variably pubescent. Fruits are glabrous capsules, 3.5 mm. Seeds are very small 2.5-3 mm. Purple queen is propagated by cutting or from seed.

 USES

 Purple queen can be used as a ground cover, cascading in baskets, as a trailer in mixed containers or as a houseplant. They are best used in masses for in-ground plantings and will spread relatively quickly. The purple leaves are a nice contrast to gold, chartreuse, or variegated foliage, and a great complement to pink, light purple or burgundy blossoms on other plants. Pair it with complementary colors for bold combinations charter use coleus, orange marigolds or red begonias. Groundcover or edging that provides color and contrast to other plants. Excellent in containers. Downward-trailing stems are ideal for hanging baskets. Rock gardens, borders fronts, wall plantings. It has many traditional medicinal uses, in improving blood circulation, anti- inflammatory and anti toxic supplement. Treats sore eyes and air purifier. Roots have been used as a drink to heal kidney diseases and digestive ailments while leaves are used ti relieve stings and insect bites.

 TRADITIONAL USES

• Blood Circulation Traditional medicine suggests it can improve blood circulation. • Anti-inflammatory and Anti-toxic It is used as an anti-inflammatory and anti-toxic supplement. • Sore Eyes Some communities, like the Adyta in the Philippines, use it to treat sore eyes. • Antioxidant It is known for its antioxidant properties. • Air Purification It is also used to clean and purify the air, particularly by removing volatile organic compounds. Scientific Research and Potential Benefits

MUTAGENESIS TESTING

 Studies suggest it can be used as a good alternative for in situ mutagenesis testing. • Antioxidant and Antibacterial Activities Methanol extract of the leaves has shown promising antioxidant and antibacterial activities. • Anticancer Activity Plants mediated with zinc oxide nanoparticles have shown activity against cervical cancer cell lines. • Air Quality Improvement It’s effective at improving indoor air quality by removing volatile organic compounds, making it a popular houseplant. • Pharmacognostic Study of the plant is believed to improve blood circulation and act as an anti-inflammatory and anti-toxic supplement. • Novel phytoniosomes formulation of plant leaves have shown phytoremediative, air-purifying, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, antifungal, antiviral, analgesic properties.

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Courtesy:  (DR.) B L PUTTOO and  Spade A Spade-July 2025