Story: Weeds of the bush

Botanist Rachel Standish is surrounded by Tradescantia fluminensis, also known as wandering willie. In a 2002 study, researchers found that the number and diversity of native woody seedlings declined as the amount of tradescantia increased. The weed blocked sunlight, and at 100% weed cover, light was reduced to 1–2% of its full strength. Originally from South America, tradescantia in New Zealand spreads from stem fragments that form new roots from nodes.