Tradescantia spathacea, also called the oyster plant,[2] boatlily[3] or 'Moses-in-the-cradle', is an herb in the Commelinaceae family which was first described in 1788.

It is native to Belize, Guatemala, and southern México (Chiapas, Tabasco, and the Yucatán Peninsula) and is widely cultivated as an ornamental houseplant; it has become naturalized in parts of coastal Southern California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Texas, and various Pacific and Indian Ocean islands.

[4][5][6] Tradescantia spathacea has fleshy rhizomes and rosettes of waxy lance-shaped leaves.

[7] Tradescantia spathacea has naturalized in parts of coastal Southern California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Texas, and various Pacific and Indian Ocean islands and is listed as a Category II invasive exotic species by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.

"This means Invasive exotics that have increased in abundance or frequency but have not yet altered Florida plant communities to the extent shown by Category I species.