Purple heart flower. Flower of the purple heart plant (Tradescantia pallida, variety purpurea). Originally from eastern Mexico, this plant produces pale-pink, three-petaled flowers at the end of its stems. The male parts of the flower, the stamens (pink stalks, at centre) and the pollen-holding anthers (yellow) can be seen here. The flower is held in a bract, a small leaf structure (dark purple). The purple heart blooms constantly in warm weather, but the flowers are only open in the morning. The stems and the upper surfaces of the leaves are a deep purple colour.