Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 5303420

Creeping Inch Plant

Callisia repens

Also known as Turtle Vine, Bolivian Jew, Chain Plant

Creeping inch plant forms dense, low-growing carpets of miniature succulent foliage that spread across rocky outcrops and shaded forest understories. Its brittle stems root eagerly at every leaf joint that touches damp earth, creating extensive vegetative mats in warm, humid microclimates. Small, three-petaled white flowers emerge in pairs between the leaf axils during peak summer warmth, attracting small native solitary bees.

SucculentGroundcoverPerennial
Creeping Inch Plant reference1 / 7
Licensed reference(c) Victor Farjalla Pontes, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Herbivorous tortoises
  • Slugs and snails
  • Spider mites
ThreatsHard frosts, prolonged freezing temperatures, desiccation in open sun
HabitatsSubtropical scrub, moist forest floors, rocky hillsides, shaded riverbanks
Life spanPerennial (indefinite via vegetative cloning)
Classification
  1. OrderCommelinales
  2. FamilyCommelinaceae
  3. GenusCallisia
  4. SpeciesCallisia repens
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Contact can trigger allergic skin dermatitis in dogs and cats; harmless to most humans.
Why it is dangerous
Plant sap and leaf surfaces contain irritating compounds that frequently cause pruritic contact dermatitis and red rashes in dogs and cats.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a low carpet of tiny, fleshy oval leaves under two centimeters long with wine-purple undersides.
What to do
Wear garden gloves when pulling extensive mats, and prevent household pets from bedding down in outdoor plantings.
Responsible observation
  • Cultivation: Root stem cuttings effortlessly by pressing two-node clippings directly into moist soil.
  • Pet Safety: Keep hanging baskets out of reach from roaming dogs to avoid allergic skin reactions.
  • Indoor Light: Provide bright, filtered sunlight to keep leaves tightly spaced and vividly colored.
Related species
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