WANDERING TRAD

Trad (Tradescantia fluminensis), also known as: Wandering Jew, is a succulant perennial ground cover. It has green stems that are wider at the nodes. The leaves are shiny, dark green up to 5.5 cm long with viens running lengthwise. The leaves are slightly heartshaped at the base and have sheath where they clasp the stem. The flowers are mostly present from spring to summer. Flowers have 3 white petals up to 1 cm long. Tard is a trailing succulent garden escape. It out-competes native vegetation and smothers the ground.

Trad forms dense mats that smother and outcompete other plants. In forests it can prevent native plants from growing. It causes skin irritation to some people and dogs.

Wandering Trad causes allergic reactions on the skin of humans and especially dogs, and has been reported as toxic to cattle (Blood 2001). Mats growing on riverbanks can break away with water flow and contribute to flooding.

Wandering Trad is a relatively widespread species that is found in the south-eastern and eastern parts of the country. It is most common in the coastal regions of New South Wales, Victoria and south-eastern Queensland. It is also present in south-eastern South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, on Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island, and in some inland regions of Victoria (Navie 2004).

Spray FireHawk Bioherbicide Concentrate: 50 mL/L of water. Respray when regrowth occurs from roots and/or runners. May require repeated application to obtain long-term weed control.