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creeping inchplant

Scientific Name: Callisia repens

Family: Commelinaceae

Category: Monocot

Growth: Forb/herb

Duration: Perennial

Other Names:

       

Creeping Inchplant (Callisia repens)

The Creeping Inchplant, scientifically known as Callisia repens, is a versatile and widely cultivated herbaceous species often found in gardens and even growing out of rain gutters.

Considerations for Pets

  • This plant has fleshy stems.
  • It forms dense mats which some animals may find attractive.

Common Names

  • Scientific Name: Callisia repens
  • Common Names: Creeping Inchplant, Turtle Vine, Chain Plant, Inch Plant, Bolivian Jew, Creeping Basket Plant, Itsy Bitsy Inch Vine, Baby's Tears

Taxonomy and Nomenclature

  • Family: Commelinaceae (spiderwort family)
  • Synonyms: Hapalanthus repens Jacq., Spironema robbinsii C. Wright, Commelina hexandra var. mandonii, Tradescantia callisia (Note: some sources may list Tradescantia fluminensis as a synonym, but this is generally considered a distinct species also known as Wandering Jew)

Distribution and Habitat

  • Native to Mexico and South America, ranging from southern Texas to Argentina.
  • It has become naturalized and invasive in various regions, including KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and scattered locales in the southern United States (e.g., Riverside).

Ecological Role

  • In some regions, such as South Africa, Callisia repens is considered an invasive species. This means it can spread rapidly and outcompete native vegetation, potentially disrupting local ecosystems.

Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits

  • It is a long-lived herbaceous perennial with creeping stems that form dense mats.
  • The stems are much-branched and root at each node.
  • Foliage is thick, green with a purplish tinge.
  • The leaves are opposite, simple, and sessile.
  • It is prostrate and often forms dense mats.
  • It grows to around 30 cm in height.

Interactions with Other Organisms

  • Some individuals allow wild Oxalis or Creeping Charlie to grow in the potted plants as a live mulch alongside Creeping Inchplant.

Further Information

  • Discover Life offers a page dedicated to the biology, natural history, ecology, identification, and distribution of Callisia repens.