Local lookalikes: One's a weed, the other a native groundcover

By Kieran Tapsell of Banksia Bushcare

Tradescantia fluminensis is a fleshy creeper from South America has succulent dark green leaves with purplish stems. It is difficult to eradicate because it breaks off easily from the roots and then regrows. Even one small stem left on the ground will regrow. If you have deer around, there is no need to remove it as they like eating it. They have to eat something. Better to use ferals to fight ferals.

Commelina cyanea is a sprawling native groundcover that can appear weedy because of abundance. The leaves are sparsely spaced along the stem with wavy leaf margins. The leaf arises from an enclosed sheath. It has blue flowers from spring to summer.